Two suspects killed in separate police encounters in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Two men accused in separate murder cases were killed in two police encounters in Rawalpindi within about 12 hours, according to authorities. Police said one suspect was arrested in the New Town area, while two others escaped after the second exchange of fire in Gujar Khan. A police constable was also seriously injured in the first incident.

According to authorities, the first encounter took place near Dhok Naju Pali in the jurisdiction of New Town police station, where a police team attempted to stop two men riding a motorcycle. Police said the suspects opened fire on the officers, seriously wounding Constable Khurshid Ayaz, who was later shifted to hospital.

Police said one of the suspects was killed in the return fire, while the second was arrested. A stolen motorcycle and weapons were recovered from them, according to the police. The dead suspect was identified as Nigel, alias Sharon. Police said he had been booked in a robbery-cum-murder case as well as several other cases, and had also been convicted by a court in the murder case. Authorities further said he had reportedly killed another citizen during a robbery around two weeks ago.

The second encounter occurred in the Bochyal area within the limits of Gujar Khan police station, where police tried to stop three motorcyclists, according to the authorities. Police said the suspects opened fire on the team, prompting retaliatory fire.

In that exchange, police said Ghulam Rasool was killed. Authorities identified him as a suspect in the killing of a father and son shortly before Eid in a dispute over property. His two accomplices, however, managed to flee, police said.

Police said a motorcycle and weapons that had been snatched at gunpoint from the Race Course police station area were recovered from the suspects involved in the Gujar Khan incident.