Police kill two 'wanted suspects'

Two dangerous members of a gang wanted in 13 serious cases, including murder, robbery and attacks on police, were killed in an alleged police encounter in the Peshawar area, police said. The slain suspects had snatched more than Rs15 million from a gold trader on Civil Quarters Road a few weeks ago, according to police. Police identified the deceased as Shakir and Usman. Both were wanted in various serious crimes, including robbery, highway robbery, murder, attempted murder and attacks on police. They had snatched Rs17.8 million from a gold trader on Civil Quarters Road a few weeks ago. Police received information that the wanted suspects were present in the Ghazi Baba graveyard area within the jurisdiction of Bhana Mari police station. When a police team reached the spot, the armed men opened fire. Both suspects were killed during the exchange of fire. Police officials said Rs6.8 million in cash, a Kalashnikov, a pistol, a motorcycle and a bag were also recovered from the possession of the slain suspects. The gang carried out its crimes at gunpoint, and its criminal record has also come to light. Cases against them were registered at Bhana Mari police station over the snatching of millions of rupees on July 22, in addition to cases registered at Chamkani, Pahari Pura, Sarband and Agha Mir Jani Shah police stations for robbery, highway robbery, drugs, attacks on police, attempted murder and other offences. More than six cases alone were registered against them at Chamkani police station. Police officials said a search was under way for seven other accomplices of the gang.