Three suspects in Karachi doctor murder case killed in police exchange of fire, SIU says

KARACHI: Three men arrested in the robbery-murder case of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre doctor Akash Kumar were killed during an exchange of fire in Karachi on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU).

The SIU said it carried out a raid in Ahmed Brohi Goth near the Northern Bypass Toll Plaza to apprehend accomplices of the arrested suspects. According to the statement, the three men were taken to the area, which falls within the jurisdiction of Gulshan-i-Memar police station, to help identify their associates. The SIU said the suspects' accomplices opened fire on the police party after spotting law enforcers.

Police said the ensuing exchange of gunfire left the three suspects and one police official wounded. They were being transported to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre when the three suspects died of their injuries on the way, police said. The SIU added that efforts were continuing to trace and arrest the absconding suspects, while legal formalities were under way.

A judicial magistrate had on July 16 granted police seven days' physical remand of the three suspects, which ended on Thursday. Police had initially sought a 14-day remand.

Doctor killed in robbery near Teen Talwar

Dr Akash Kumar, a house officer at JPMC, was shot dead on July 13 during a robbery near Teen Talwar. Police said he had withdrawn Rs5 million from a private bank and placed Rs2m and Rs3m in two separate white envelopes. According to police, Dr Akash was travelling with his father, a cousin and the cash when their vehicle was intercepted outside a second bank by four robbers riding two motorcycles.

Police said one of the robbers opened the car door and shot Dr Akash before the assailants fled with around Rs2m. He was taken to hospital but did not survive, police said. A case was later registered on the complaint of the victim's father.

Arrests and investigation

Police said that on the night of July 14 they spotted a suspicious car in the Defence area and chased it before arresting three suspects. They said mobile phones and three pistols were recovered and a separate case was registered. Police also seized a white Suzuki Alto that they said had been used by the suspects to escape and was carrying fake registration plates.

In a press release issued on July 15, police said the arrested men admitted during initial interrogation that they were involved in the killing. According to police, the suspects said they had watched the victim before the robbery and had an accomplice inside the first bank who alerted them after Dr Akash withdrew the money.

Police said the alleged insider told the gang about the victim's appearance and the amount he had withdrawn, allowing the robbers to intercept the vehicle as it headed towards the second bank. Police also said the arrested suspects were part of a gang involved in robberies and street crime in Karachi and had prior criminal records. Raids were under way to arrest the remaining accomplices, police had said.

The killing prompted strong reaction from the medical community. Doctors held protests at JPMC after the shooting, while the Pakistan Medical Association denounced the incident and said it reflected worsening law and order conditions in Karachi.