TOBA TEK SINGH/OKARA: Three suspected robbers were arrested in injured condition in separate police encounters in Toba Tek Singh and Okara districts.

In the first incident, a suspected robber from Lahore, reportedly involved in 51 criminal cases, was arrested following an encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) near Chak 370 JB on the outskirts of Gojra late on Sunday night.

According to police, the CCD team was on routine patrol when two motorcyclists opened fire on the police and attempted to flee. During the escape, their motorcycle lost control due to high speed and crashed into a roadside bridge. As a result, one suspect sustained injuries and was arrested, while his accomplice managed to escape.

The injured suspect was identified as Muhammad Imran, a resident of the Data Darbar area of Lahore. Police described him as a hardened criminal with a record of 51 cases.

In a separate incident in Okara, two suspected dacoits were arrested in injured condition after a shootout with police near Sharifabad on Haveli Road in the jurisdiction of Saddar Dipalpur police station.

According to the FIR, the police received a call on the helpline reporting that seven armed men were looting passersby near Sharifabad. A police team led by Inspector Muhammad Akhtar Khan rushed to the scene and called for reinforcement.

As the police reached the spot, the suspects allegedly opened fire. During the exchange, ASI Shahid Mehmood was hit in the chest but remained unharmed due to his bulletproof jacket, while Constable Muhammad Shoaib also narrowly escaped injury.

After reinforcements arrived, the police retaliated, forcing the suspects to retreat. During a search operation, two victims were found in nearby fields with their hands tied. The victims, identified as Bilal Sukhera and Aslam of Jassoki Dhone, said they had been robbed of cash, mobile phones and documents.

Police later found two injured suspects in a maize field. They were identified as Riasat Ali and Maqbool. Police recovered cash, CNICs, and illegal weapons from their possession. The suspects disclosed the names of their accomplices, who managed to escape.Saddar Dipalpur police registered a case under sections 395, 412, 353, 324, 186, and 440 of the PPC, along with relevant provisions of the Arms Ordinance.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026