LAHORE: A gunman was shot dead and two policemen and three visitors were injured in a police encounter with gunmen at a shop in Baghbanpura here on Wednesday.

The incident took place when the policemen were on a routine visit to check stolen mobile phones through electronic gadgets when three armed men forced their entry. They held up all those present there, including policemen, two owners of the mobile phone shop, and visitors at gunpoint.

The alleged robbers snatched mobile phones, cash and other valuables and as they were going to leave, one of the policemen opened fire. The suspects returned the fire and during this, one robber got killed, while shop owners, a visitor, and police officials were also injured. The two other robbers, however, fled.

The police force from nearby police stations along with the Dolphin squad rushed to the site on being alerted and raised security in the vicinity to round up the criminals.

The injured were shifted to the hospitals for treatment, while the body of the robber was shifted to the city morgue for autopsy.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2021