RAWALPINDI, Jan 30: A robber was arrested after an encounter with the police in the Westridge area early Sunday. His two accomplices, however, escaped.

Identifying the alleged robber as Bismillah Khan, police said he was wanted by the federal capital territory police in several heinous cases. He was also on top of the list of criminals in Chakwal and Khanpur.

The accused was shifted to District Headquarters Hospital where he is being treated under tight security.

The police while patrolling in the Westridge area early Sunday spotted a dumper and a motorbike parked on the road in Chamanabad with some people carrying guns around them.

Superintendent of Police Pervez Bandial told Dawn that the police team was patrolling the area when they spotted some gunmen looting commuters after blocking the road. The gunmen opened fire on the police and the latter retaliated by shooting and injuring one of the bandits who was later captured. He said though the injured suspect was arrested by the police and shifted to the hospital, his two accomplices managed to escape.

The SP said the robbers had already deprived a dumper driver of cash and were targeting a motorcyclist when the police spotted them.

The accused is likely to be discharged from the hospital on Monday and would be produced in the court of law for remand custody. He said a hunt had been launched to arrest his accomplices.