Police constable martyred, 2 suspected robbers killed in shootout in Karachi's Orangi Town: police

KARACHI : Two alleged robbers were killed, while a police constable lost his life during a gun battle in Karachi's Orangi Town early Tuesday, police and rescue officials confirmed.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) District West Tariq Illahi Mastoi, four officers from District West were carrying out routine motorcycle patrols near Liaquat Chowk in the jurisdiction of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station when they came across armed suspects.

The SSP said the suspects immediately opened fire on the police team, prompting officers to respond in self-defence. During the ensuing exchange of gunfire, both suspects were killed.

Police recovered two pistols, ammunition, empty shell casings, and the motorcycle used by the suspects from the scene.

Constable Hassan Ali, 26, sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and was rushed to the hospital. Despite receiving medical treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries.

District West police spokesperson Nabeel Ahmed Rajput stated that although the constable was wearing a bulletproof vest, he was struck by bullets from the side.

Hassan Ali, who was unmarried and belonged to Sukkur, was laid to rest in his hometown after funeral prayers at the Garden Police Headquarters. The ceremony was attended by Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Additional IGP Azad Khan, and other senior officers.

Police later identified the deceased suspects and revealed that one of them had previously been arrested for the 2021 killing of an assistant sub-inspector. Officials said the suspect had at least 13 criminal cases registered against him, while the other suspect had one case on record.

The incident follows several recent armed encounters in Karachi. Last week, a suspected robber was killed and a police officer was injured during a shoot-out on Mauripur Road. Earlier this month, two alleged robbers were shot dead by citizens in Gulzar-i-Hijri and Cattle Colony. In a separate incident in Korangi, one suspected robber was beaten to death by an angry crowd, while another was reportedly wounded by a bullet fired by his own accomplice during a robbery.