KARACHI: A suspected robber was shot dead by a citizen during a robbery attempt on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road in Abbas Town on Wednesday, Sachal police said.

They added that three robbers stormed into the Raheem General Store near Habib Bank in Abbas Town and tried to snatch cash and other valuables from people there. However, the shop owner took out his pistol and opened fire on them. As a result, one of the suspects, identified as Taimoor Maqsood, was killed while his two accomplices escaped. The police rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and took the body into custody and shifted it to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital to fulfil legal formalities. The police claimed that a toy gun was found on the spot.

The investigators also obtained CCTV footage from the spot which showed that the (killed) man took out cash from the counter of the shop. Currency notes were in both of his hands when the shopkeeper opened straight fire on him, resultantly a bullet hit him in the chest. As the suspect fell down, the shopkeeper fired another shot at him and in the meantime his accomplices fled after seeing their injured aide.

Additional police surgeon at ASH Dr Mohammad Saleem confirmed that the suspect, in his mid-30s, was brought dead to the hospital.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2020