Police say Rizwan alias Raju Rocket was wanted in 16 serious criminal cases as other motorcycle-borne suspects escaped
UCH SHARIF: A suspected dacoit was killed during an encounter between Crime Control Department (CCD) personnel and motorcycle-borne suspects near Pul Rasool Wah in Uch Sharif on Thursday, according to police.
Police identified the deceased suspect as Rizwan, alias Raju Rocket, and said authorities wanted him in connection with 16 cases involving serious criminal offences.
The encounter began when a CCD team, led by Circle Officer Aamir Shah, signalled motorcycle riders to stop near Pul Rasool Wah. However, police said the suspects ignored the order and allegedly opened fire on the law enforcement personnel.
Bulletproof Jacket Saves CCD Official
During the exchange, one of the motorcycle-borne suspects allegedly fired at CCD official Ghazi Mureed Hussain, striking him in the chest. However, his bulletproof jacket protected him from the gunfire, and he escaped serious injury.
Meanwhile, other personnel took defensive positions as the suspects continued firing. Police said some of the motorcycle riders subsequently managed to flee the scene following the exchange of gunfire.
Authorities did not immediately disclose how many suspects escaped or whether police launched a wider search operation to locate them.
Furthermore, investigators began collecting evidence from the encounter site as part of their inquiry into the incident.
Police Register Encounter Case
Following the shooting, authorities shifted Rizwan’s body to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Ahmedpur Sharqia for a postmortem examination and other legal formalities.
Police said the deceased suspect had remained wanted in multiple cases and described him as an alleged hardened criminal involved in serious incidents.
Subsequently, authorities registered a police encounter case at the CCD police station on the complaint of Circle Officer Aamir Shah.
Police are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the encounter while efforts are likely to focus on identifying and tracing the suspects who escaped after allegedly firing at the CCD team.
