LAHORE, March 20: Three robbers allegedly shot dead two police constables at a picket in Lower Mall area on Sunday, the police said.The deceased constables, Abdul Razaq and Sajjad Ahmad, posted at Lower Mall police station, were assigned patrolling duty, along with ASI Niaz Ahmad and constable Amanullah, following a surge in street crime in the area.

City Division SP (Operations) Shahzad Asif told Dawn the killers were hardened criminals and an extensive search had been launched in the area for their arrest.

He said the deceased policemen stopped a suspected motorcyclist early on Sunday at a picket on Rasheed Road near the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) for identification.

Meanwhile, the SP said, two men riding another motorcycle reached the picket and suddenly opened indiscriminate fire, seriously injuring the both policemen. The SP said two other policemen who were patrolling in the nearby streets rushed to the picket on hearing the gunshots, but the assailants had fled the scene before their arrival.

The injured were immediately shifted to the Mayo Hospital where they succumbed to their wounds during treatment.

Mr Asif, however, dispelled the impression that it was a target killing incident.

He said an alert call had been given to the police to intensify patrolling in the area in view of a sudden increase in street crime. He admitted the criminals were targeting innocent people almost daily in the area.

He said a case had been registered against the three unidentified offenders under section 7ATA and 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

No arrest has so far been made.

Realtor killed: Robbers allegedly shot dead a man for offering resistance in Garden Town police precincts on Saturday night.

Waheed-ul-Rehman, a property dealer of Johar Town, left his residence along with his family for Faisal Town to attend the wedding of his friend in a banquet hall.

Some robbers intercepted Rehman’s vehicle hundred yards short of the venue, took the family on gunpoint and snatched 11 tola gold jewellery and cash from his wife.

When Rehman offered resistance, one of the robbers shot at him, killing him on the spot. The police sent the body for autopsy and registered a case against the robbers, who fled.