Two robbers, puncture shop worker killed during police encounter

Two suspected robbers and a puncture shop employee were killed on Wednesday during an exchange of fire between police and robbers in the Korangi area. Meanwhile, three more suspected robbers were killed during encounters with the police in City and Central police districts.

Police said they encountered armed robbers in Korangi No 5 when the latter were trying to flee after robbing a woman. Policemen of the Awami Colony police station patrolling on motorcycles chased the suspects and an exchange of fire took place between the two parties near Coast Guard Chowrangi within the limits of the Zaman Town police station.

As a result of the shootout, two robbers were killed and a citizen was injured, the police said, adding that the citizen injured from firing was a puncture shop employee. The deceased robbers and the injured puncture shop employee were transferred to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where the injured man, Kashan, succumbed to his injuries.

The killed robbers were identified as Rab Nawaz and Saad. A pistol, an unregistered motorcycle and a mobile phone were seized from their possession. The deceased Kashan was around 19 years old and unmarried, stated Imran, the puncture shop owner. He added that Kashan had been working at his shop for the past three years.

During the exchange of fire, Kashan was present at the shop when a bullet hit his chest, Imran said. The deceased puncture shop employee was a resident of Korangi 2 1/2 and hailed from Hyderabad, the shop owner said, adding that it was not yet clear whether Kashan was shot by the robbers or the police.

It was also reported that after Kashan was severely injured during the crossfire, he was transported to the police station instead of a hospital for medical treatment and therefore, he died due to excessive bleeding. The police blamed the rescue service ambulance for transporting the victim to the police station instead of a hospital.

A police officer told the media at the hospital that the injured man was earlier taken to the police station perhaps due to the police station’s proximity. He added that the police came to know the name of the deceased only after reaching the hospital.

Whether Kashan was shot by the police or the robbers would be investigated, the officer maintained. In another encounter, two suspected robbers were killed and a policeman wounded during an exchange of fire near the Sheesha Market within the limits of the Eidgah police station. The casualties were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi. The injured cop was identified as Karim Buksh who was shot once in his leg.

The robbers killed in the encounter are yet to be identified. Separately, a suspected robber was killed during an encounter with the police in Federal B Area Block 19 within the limits of the Samanabad police station.

Police said an accomplice of the deceased robber was also arrested in an injured state. The casualties were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the injured suspect was identified as Wasim. The deceased suspect is yet to be identified and his body was moved to a morgue for want of identification. A case has been registered and investigations are under way.