PESHAWAR: Three under-custody suspects, allegedly involved in bank robberies, were killed after unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at a police party near the Northern Bypass area of the provincial capital on Wednesday night.

A statement issued said that the suspects, who were arrested on Monday night, were being taken by a police team for identification of the crime scenes and recovery of the weapons used in the crimes.

It added that the suspects identified the area from where the investigation team recovered pistols.

However, it added that when the suspects were being taken to the planning site, unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at the police party in “an attempt to help the suspects” escape from custody.

It further said that two police officials were hit but remained unharmed as they were wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets, while the three suspects, Muhammad Shoaib, Muhammad Umar and Muhammad Imad, were killed during the exchange of fire.

It said that the attackers escaped and a search operation was underway, adding that senior police officials immediately rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.

The suspects were arrested in two separate bank robbery cases.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2026