KARACHI: Two suspected robbers were shot dead and a policeman was martyred in an encounter in Karachi’s Orangi Town early on Tuesday morning, according to police and rescue services officials.

The senior superintendent of police (SSP) of District West, Tariq Illahi Mastoi, said that four police officials of District West were conducting routine motorcycle patrolling near Liaquat Chowk, within the limits of Pakistan Bazaar Police Station, when they encountered armed robbers.

Upon seeing the police party, the suspects opened indiscriminate fire. The police retaliated in self-defence, resulting in an exchange of fire, he said.

The SSP added that both armed suspects were killed during the exchange of fire. Two pistols along with ammunition, spent shell casings, and the motorcycle being used by the suspects were recovered from their possession.

However, during the encounter, 26-year-old constable Hassan Ali sustained firearm injuries and was immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

“Despite the best possible medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and embraced martyrdom during treatment,” the SSP said.

The spokesperson for the District West police, Nabeel Ahmed Rajput, said that although the constable wore body armour, the bullets hit his body from the side.

He was unmarried and originally hailed from Sukkur. His coffin was taken there for burial after funeral prayers were offered at Garden police headquarters, which were attended by Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho, Additional IGP Azad Khan and other senior officials.

Later, the deceased suspects were identified, and it emerged that one of them had also martyred an assistant sub-inspector in 2021, for which he had been arrested.

According to a police statement, there were “at least 13 criminal cases” registered against the suspect, while one case had been registered against the other.

Last week, a suspected robber was gunned down and a policeman was wounded in a shoot-out on Mauripur Road.

Earlier this month, two suspected robbers were shot dead by as many citizens in Gulzar-i-Hijri and Cattle Colony. In another incident, a suspected robber was lynched by an angry mob and another was wounded by a bullet allegedly fired by an accomplice during a robbery in Korangi.