KARACHI: Three suspected bandits were killed in a shootout with police near Bhains Colony on Tuesday that also led to martyrdom of a policeman, officials said.

They added that a patrolling team of the Sukkan police was informed about an armed robbery in the area in the first half of the day. The patrol party reached the spot and found a milk trader in Bhains Colony had been deprived of cash and valuables by some half a dozen armed robbers only a few minutes ago.

“The patrolling team called for further back-up and started search for the armed bandits who had sped away on motorbikes,” said an official.

“However after hectic search and intelligence gathering, within half an hour, they spotted the armed motorcyclists in the locality. As the police tried to reach them, the motorcyclists sped away. After a chase of a few minutes they were spotted again in the area where they were surrounded by the police force.”

Finding themselves trapped the bandits fired shots at the police party that led to an exchange of gunfire. As the gunfire ensued, one of the policemen identified as Nauman Shah was hit in the chest and he died on the spot, said the official.

“After the guns fell silent, the police found three bandits dead on the spot and most probably their three aides ran away from the scene,” he said.

The bodies were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal formalities, where the deceased bandits remained unidentified.

In a statement SSP Malir paid rich tributes to police constable Nauman Shah for his bravery and performance and martyrdom in the line of duty.

“Nauman was a brilliant policeman who was just 31 years old and had joined the police in 2018 with an aim to serve the society. He proved his commitment and left an example for all of us,” he added.

The funeral prayers of the deceased constable were held in Garden Headquarters attended by the Sindh police leadership and senior government officials.

Smuggling of smartphones

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Customs within a week foiled a second attempt of smuggling valuable iPhones from a passenger at the airport.

“Pakistan Customs seized 58 smuggled iPhones from a passenger at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport,” said a statement.

“The suspect was on board a flight from UAE to Karachi. He had hidden the cell phones in his shopping bag and was caught during checking. The iPhones were worth over Rs10 million. An FIR has been registered against the suspect. The police have started questioning him, while further investigations are under way.”

Teenage boy drowns

A teenage boy drowned in the sea while swimming with his friends at the beach near Ibrahim Hyderi.

The police said that 15-year-old Yasin was with his friends at the beach who were swimming along the coast.

“But somehow Yasin lost control and was taken away by waves,” said an official at the Ibrahim Hyderi police station.

“By the time his friends noticed and realised the situation, it was too late. Later on his body was recovered. He is resident of nearby Chashma Goth.”

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2021