KARACHI: Six Afghan armed dacoits, wanted in dozens of robbery and other criminal cases, were killed during a police encounter in Karachi’s Pak Colony area, police said on Friday.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kemari Amjad Sheikh said the incident occurred when a police team carried out a raid following what he described as credible intelligence regarding the presence of an armed gang involved in organised street crime and house robberies.
According to the SSP, the suspects opened heavy fire on the police party upon spotting the raiding team, triggering a shootout. During the exchange of gunfire, the incharge of a police check-post, identified as Jan Sher, along with another police officer, sustained injuries.
Police officials stated that all six suspects were killed at the scene. They said the gang members were involved in more than 50 house robberies in various areas of Karachi and had targeted women during several of the incidents.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that weapons were recovered from the possession of the suspects, including six pistols, one rifle and two motorcycles believed to have been used during criminal activities.
SSP Amjad Sheikh said the identities and criminal backgrounds of the deceased suspects had been obtained. Four of them were identified as Naqeebullah, Abdul Bari, Allah Dad and Mujeebullah.
Police further said the suspects were wanted in connection with the murder of three brothers in the Haroonabad area of Kemari in January last year, an incident in which two other people were also injured.
According to investigators, multiple cases had already been registered against the suspects in different police stations of Karachi, including charges related to robbery, attempted murder, firing on police and illegal possession of weapons.
Police added that two other members of the same Afghan robber gang, identified as Wali and Hayat, had been arrested earlier. Investigators revealed that the gang had previously looted cash and gold jewellery worth more than Rs100 million from a house in Karachi’s Mauripur area.
