KARACHI: A suspected robber was shot dead in an alleged encounter in the Defence area on Friday evening.

Police said that two muggers snatched Rs300,000 from a citizen after he drew cash from a private bank branch in Phase-II.

They said that a police patrol reached the scene and chased the fleeing suspects. In an ensuing exchange of gunfire, suspect Mohammed Osama was gunned down. However, his accomplice fled.

DIG-South Asad Raza said that the killed suspect had a past criminal record as he was arrested in district Central in 2021.

‘Extortionist’ held after encounter

Police and the Federal Intelligence Agency jointly carried out a targeted action in the Kalri area of Lyari and arrested a suspect, Shayan alias Shanu, in a wounded condition after an ‘encounter’ on Friday.

South-DIG Syed Asad Raza said that the suspect was the most wanted gangster of Lyari who was involved in armed attacks on several traders and builders over non-payment of bhatta (extortion).

He was a ‘shooter’ of the gang led by a suspect Wasiullah Lakho. He was running a network of extortion in different parts of the city along with Arsalan Patni of ‘Sunni Tehreek’ and Samad. Besides, he was also involved in over 40 incidents of robberies, the officer said.

The DIG added that the suspect along with his accomplices had shot at and injured Bilal Murshid of outlawed AhleSunnat Waljamaat in New Karachi on Dec 5, 2023 over non-payment of extortion. He had also resorted to firing on several traders in district Central and old City areas over non-payment of extortion.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2024