Cop martyred as he kills robber in Orangi Town encounter

A policeman was martyred and a passerby wounded during an exchange of fire with robbers in an Orangi Town neighbourhood on Thursday. A robber was also killed by the deceased cop’s firing in the incident.

According to police officials, the encounter took place near Khalil Market in Orangi Town Sector 10 within the limits of the Iqbal Market police station where the suspects were robbing Suzuki vehicles heading to the vegetable market. The suspects had snatched over 50,000 rupees from five vegetable sellers when a policeman in plain clothes opened fire on them.

In retaliation, the robbers also fired at the cop. In the exchange of fire, the policeman was killed and a passerby and one of the robbers were wounded.

The injured robber, however, later succumbed to his injuries.

The martyred cop was identified as 50-year-old Abdul Ghaffar, son of Haji Khan. He was serving as a guard for West SSP Tariq Mastoi and died after being shot in the chest.

Police said they had apprehended the injured robber who later died while receiving medical treatment. He was identified as Tajuddin.

The passerby injured in the incident was identified as 24-year-old Ejaz, son of Gul Ali Khan.

A weapon was also recovered from the robber’s possession.

Later, the funeral prayers for the martyred cop were offered at the Police Headquarters, Garden, and attended by senior police officials and the policeman’s family members and relatives.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar took notice of the incident and sought a report from the District West SSP. A case has been registered and investigations are under way.