KARACHI: Three suspected bandits were killed in an alleged exchange of fire with police in Baldia Town on Sunday evening, officials said.

They said that the incident occurred at the Baldia Town No 2 intersection where there was a traffic jam and the suspects were reportedly snatching valuables from motorists stuck in the snarl-up.

A motorcyclist who witnessed the snatchings informed the recently set up 15-Response Centre at the Habib Bank Chowrangi about the incident, SSP of District West Asif Aijaz told Dawn.

The police mobile stationed at the centre responded, following which an exchange of fire took place with the suspects who had tried to escape and opened fire on the police, the police official added.

An alleged bandit was killed and his two accomplices were critically wounded in the exchange of fire, he said.

However, when the wounded suspects were being taken to hospital, they succumbed to their wounds, police and Edhi sources said.

The identity of the three suspects had not been established till late in the night.

Two pistols, a snatched motorcycle, six cellphones, cash and gold ornaments are said to have been seized from the possession of the suspects.

“The newly set up response centre personnel have been given a fully-equipped police mobile. The policemen have eight-hour duty and they do their job with dedication and they have also been provided with bulletproof vests and heavy weapons,” the SSP-West said.

Recently, a spate of robberies during traffic jams has been witnessed in many part of the city.

Activist gunned down

A worker of a political party was shot dead in a Jodia Bazaar area near the city courts within the remit of the Mithadar police station in the early hours of Sunday, police said.

They said gunmen opened fire on 45-year-old Muhammad Adeel at around 7.30am and fled. The man affiliated to the Sunni Tehrik died on spot, they added.

The body was taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi and later handed over to the heirs of the victim after medico-legal formalities.

Earlier, two people were wounded in a firing incident in the same area on Saturday night, the police added.

They were identified as 28-year-old Javed and 35-year-old Rizwan and taken to Civil Hospital for treatment. Dawn

A spokesperson for the Sunni Tehrik told that Adeel was an activist of their party, but was not holding any official responsibility.

Apparently he was killed over some personal matter, but the police were investigating the case and following the investigation, the complete picture would emerge, he said.

Man shot dead in Sohrab Goth

A 45-year-old man was shot dead over, what has been described as, personal enmity in an Al-Asif Square area of Sohrab Goth on Sunday, police and Edhi sources said.

They said Sher Afzal was shot dead by gunmen who were on a motorcycle and escaped after opening the fire.

The body was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Steps to curb bank robberies

Sindh police chief Mushtaq Shah has issued strict directives for taking effective measures for curbing bank robberies in the city, adds APP.

Chairing a meeting on Sunday, he stressed the need for improving coordination between the local police and the CID.

He also asked the forensic division of the Sindh police that it should play a role in the investigation of the bank robberies.