LAHORE, Dec 2: Robbers allegedly shot dead a woman in Shahdara area on Thursday.

The victim family, however, alleged that one of the suspects, who killed the woman, was a constable of the Shahdara police station.

Fearing a protest by the family and other residents, the police took into custody the constable and started investigation.

Shahdara Circle DSP Riaz Ali Shah told Dawn the constable had been taken into custody to avert protest by the aggrieved family. He, however, denied the allegation that the constable was involved in the robbery murder. He claimed the constable reached the spot shortly after hearing a gunfire near the police station where the alleged robbers killed the woman.

Reports said 35-year-old Mamoona Bibi of Jamal Park was on her way home from her parents’ house along with her husband, Ghulam Nabi, when two armed men wearing police uniform held the couple hostage. The assailants snatched a cell phone from Ghulam Nabi and opened fire when Mamoona offered resistance.

She received a bullet injury in her head and died instantly. The outlaws managed their escape.

Ghulam Nabi recognised the constable when he visited the police station to lodge a complaint there.

The DSP said a case had been registered against unidentified suspects on the complaint of Ghulam Nabi. An inquiry had also been launched to probe the involvement of the constable in the incident.

The body was shifted for autopsy.

SHOT DEAD: A 26-year-old youth was shot dead allegedly by robbers in Badami Bagh area on Thursday.

Reports said Hafiz Shafiq left his Aziz Colony residence to meet his friend. As soon as he reached near Khokhar village, two motorcyclists stopped him and held him hostage.

On resistance, one of the suspects opened fire. They later fled the scene leaving the youth with a head injury which caused his instant death.

The police shifted the body for autopsy. The victim’s family said Shafiq was shot dead by robbers on resistance.

The police have registered a case on the complaint of deceased’s elder brother Mumtaz with no arrest. — Staff Reporter