Wanted suspect killed in 'encounter'

A suspected criminal was killed in an alleged encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) in the Naseerabad area of Rawalpindi, police said on Sunday. According to officials, a CCD team encountered three suspects on Saada Road in the jurisdiction of Naseerabad police station. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police team, prompting retaliatory firing. During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects, identified as Hazrat Bilal, sustained serious injuries. He was being taken to hospital when he succumbed to his injuries on the way, officials said. Police said a pistol was recovered from the deceased suspect. According to police officials, Bilal was a wanted suspect with a criminal record involving robbery, burglary, firing at police and other offences. He had previously been arrested by Dhamial police and sent to jail, where he served a three-year sentence before being released some time ago. Police said that after his release, the suspect had allegedly resumed criminal activities. A few days ago, he allegedly opened fire on Muhafiz Squad official Umar Mehdi in the Naseerabad area, injuring him before fleeing the scene.