SIALKOT, March 30: As many as 10 people, including seven women, were injured by three robbers who first snatched a car and then resorted to indiscriminate firing in Daska’s Main Bazaar on Sunday when they were about to be arrested by the police pursuing them with the help of satellite trekking system installed in the vehicle.

A robber was also injured by the firing of his fleeing accomplices and was later arrested. The police received a call at emergency call centre from a man that his vehicle had been snatched and that he had come to know through trekking system that the robbers were driving it towards Daska. The police spotted the vehicle on Circular Road and launched a pursuit on which the robbers abandoned the car on College Road and entered Main Bazaar. Later, they started indiscriminate firing to pre-empt their arrest, injuring passers-by Aqeel Abdullah, Abdul Rasheed, Zaid, Aneesa Bibi, Moona Naseer, Naseem Naseer, Rukhsana, Saiqa Ayub, Saira Rehmat and Shahida Sajid.

A robber later identified as Saifullah was also injured by the indiscriminate firing of his two accomplices who fled by resorting to aerial firing. The police also seized unlicenced arms from Saifullah’s possession.

All the injured were taken to THQ Hospital where at least five of them are stated to be in critical condition.

This incident spread panic and harassment in the bazaar. Traders closed down their shops to protest the incident and demanded provision of foolproof security.

District Police Officer Muhammad Ameen visited the spot and later inquired after the injured. He assured the protesting traders that the remaining two culprits would be arrested soon. The city police registered a case and started investigations. — Correspondent