KARACHI, Sept 12: An alleged bandit was shot dead near the City Courts on Thursday evening, in what police claimed an encounter.

Three bandits came to a shop, Ajaz Store, in Jodia Bazaar. They made off with Rs50,000 and travellers cheques worth Rs10,000 at gunpoint from the shop.

Three security guards chased them till they reached near Nigar Cinema in the vicinity of Pan Mandi. Near the cinema hall one of the suspects opened fire on a security guard, identified as Mehboob Ali, injuring him.

Other security guards returned the fire and a policeman, who was on way to the City Courts, also opened fire, critically injuring the suspect who fired on the security guards.

The injured suspect was rushed to Civil Hospital where he died, police said.

Police claimed to have recovered a motorcycle hijacked in Baghdadi and a pistol from his possession.