ISLAMABAD: Another ‘gangster’ involved in numerous robberies was killed and his accomplice arrested in an encounter with the police. However, their two other accomplices escaped, police said on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Amir Shehzad alias Chooha whereas the detained criminal, Rashid Elahi, was shifted to hospital under tight security for treatment, a police spokesperson said, adding that police also seized a vehicle used by the suspects along with weapons and ammunition.

A team of officials from Tarnol police station had established a checkpost in E-16 on Friday night, the spokesman said, adding that a black Honda appeared there at around 11:50pm, but after seeing the police took a u-turn and sped away.

On suspicion, the police chased the vehicle, but after a distance, the car stopped and four persons disembarked from it and opened indiscriminate fire. The police retaliated but the suspects sped away in the car, the spokesperson said, adding that during the chase, the suspects fired again and the police retaliated.

SSP says suspects belonged to Shakil Kiani gang; latest shoot-out was 12th incident between police, alleged robbers since Jan 2

Two occupants of the car sustained bullet injuries and were later overpowered by the police while the other two escaped, he said, adding that the suspects were injured from bullets fired by their own accomplices.

The injured were shifted to Pims where one of them was pronounced dead on arrival.

The spokesman said the gang was involved in a number of robberies in various areas of Islamabad.

Amir Shehzad had been jailed in 13 cases of robberies in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sargodha and Khushab while 22 cases of robberies had been registered against Rashid Elahi.

The arrested suspect confessed to his involvement in recent robberies in Tarnol, Shehzad Town and Banigala, the spokesman said.

It was 12th shoot-out between police and alleged robbers since Jan 2.

Replying to a question, the spokesman said the culprits moved in the city at night and when intercepted they either attacked the police or tried to escape which resulted in the encounters.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Faisal said house robbery incidents occurred at night and snatching in daytime.

Police deployment for patrolling or halting points are made after analysing the time, area and pattern of criminal activities and criminals, he added.

The man killed in the encounter was wanted by Islamabad and Punjab police in 17 robbery incidents in which he had fired at the victims, the SSP said, adding that the injured robber had shot victims in 22 robberies in the capital and Punjab.

They were members of the notorious Shakil Kiani gang, which was involved in a number of encounters with the police, Mr Faisal said.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2022