RAWALPINDI, Dec 26: A suspected robber was shot dead by the police, when he tried to escape from Saddar Barooni police custody, on Wednesday night.

Police said the incident happened when the police set out to arrest some criminals residing in Samarzar colony, Adiala road.

The police raid was planned after a suspect was arrested by the police in connection with the kidnapping of a girl from Chakwal.

When contacted Superintendent of Police Waheeduz Zaman Khattak revealed that the abducted girl was recovered by the police from Murree, as had been disclosed by the suspect and later handed over to the Chakwal police.

The suspect in custody had revealed that he had been also involved in robberies and his accomplices were hiding in a house in Samarzar colony.

Following the information, a police team took the suspect along to conduct a raid at the said location, on Wednesday night.

A police official said that during the raid, the suspect tried to escape from police custody and as a result police fired at him. The suspect in the firing got injured and was shifted to the hospital, where he breathed his last.

Senior superintendent of police Israr Ahmed Abbasi confirmed that the police raided a house in the light of information that some robbers were hiding inside.

During the police raid, the exchange of fire between the police and suspects took place, resulting in the death of the suspect in custody.