ISLAMABAD: An accused facing trial in multiple criminal cases was injured in an encounter with the police in the rural area of the capital, the police claimed on Monday.

However, a police post on X, content of the FIR and the statement of the police public relations officer (PRO) about the incident contradicted each other.

According to the FIR registered at the Koral police station on Sunday under section 324, 353, 186 and 34, a patrolling team got information about two members of a dacoits’ gang moving to Sharifabad on a bike.

In response, a police team reached Sharifabad Road from Ghori Town and set up a picket.

Later, two persons on a motorcycle appeared there. The police signaled them to stop; however, the pillion rider started firing at the police.

Fortunately, the policemen remained unhurt, the FIR said, adding the suspect who was driving the motorcycle escaped towards Korang Nullah leaving behind the bike. The other suspect was overpowered and arrested with a bullet wound to his left leg which according to the suspect was 10 to 12 days old. The police also recovered a pistol from him, it added.

Another FIR registered on Monday under section 353, 186, 324, 427 and 34 stated that the suspect was arrested in connection with a robbery on January 29.

During the investigation, the suspect identified the spot of the robbery and in response a police team took him there.

After reaching the spot, the suspect disembarked from the vehicle and in the meantime two persons on a motorcycle appeared there and opened indiscriminate fire, the FIR said.

As a result, the suspect sustained a bullet injury to his right knee and fell on the road. The policemen remained unhurt. The police also retaliated, however, the motorcycle riders escaped.

The police on its official X handle however claimed that the Koral police arrested the suspect facing trial in 20 criminal cases. The police while taking the suspect along conducted a raid to arrest his accomplices. However, he was injured when his accomplices opened fire, it added.

The details provided by the PRO about the 20 cases showed that 18 cases were registered against the suspect in Rawalpindi and two at Rawat. Out of the total, he was acquitted in two cases while in one case each he was discharged and the complainant could not recognise him as a culprit.

The PRO said the suspect was arrested by Koral police on Monday morning during a raid in connection with a robbery at Hiran Mera Road near Naval Anchorage on January 29, 2024, in which he along with his accomplices had looted an oil agency and shot and injured its owner. After the arrest, he was taken to Hiran Mera for the arrest of his accomplices where he was injured from their firing.

In reply to a question, the PRO said there was only one encounter which happened when the suspect was taken to arrest his accomplices. However, he had no more details, including where the raid was conducted.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2024