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LAHORE:
A series of police encounters during the past week resulted in the deaths of five suspected robbers, raising concerns about the escalation of criminal activities in the city.
The most dramatic encounter occurred on Wednesday, March 20, at a milk shop in Johar Town (BoR Road), captured on CCTV footage.
Four suspected robbers stormed the shop, holding the staff at gunpoint and looting valuables. Pretending to be shoppers to avoid suspicion, they stationed one suspect as a guard at the entrance to intercept anyone entering the shop.
Alerted by the shop owners via CCTV, the police swiftly responded to the scene.
A confrontation ensued, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the officers and the robbers.
Despite attempts by the suspects to use the shop staff as shields and escape by taking cover behind counters and refrigerators, they were eventually apprehended. However, one suspect sustained fatal injuries during the shootout, while three others were taken into custody.
Another encounter occurred in Raiwind City on March 18, when police received a report of three suspects involved in a robbery. Upon arrival, the officers were met with gunfire from the suspects.
In the ensuing exchange, two suspects were fatally shot, while the third managed to flee the scene.
On March 25, another police encounter in Sattokatla resulted in the deaths of two suspected robbers. Acting on a tip-off about a robbery in progress in Nawab Town, the police intercepted the suspects, who opened fire in an attempt to evade capture.
Two suspects succumbed to their injuries during the exchange of gunfire, later identified as Basharat Mushtaq and Ali Zeb.
In a separate incident on March 22, a man named Waqar Altaf died while in police custody in Township.
Allegedly detained in connection with a snatching case, Altaf reportedly suffered severe torture, leading to his demise despite being rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Earlier on March 15, a suspected robber was killed and two others injured during a police encounter in Defence B.
Responding to reports of a robbery in progress, the police engaged with the suspects, resulting in one fatality and the arrest of two others.
The deceased suspect was identified as Hanif, while the arrested individuals were named Tahir and Aftab. These incidents underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing criminal activities and maintaining public safety in Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2024.
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