Kidnap suspect killed in police encounter

BUREWALA, Mar 24 (APP): A key suspect in the kidnapping of a three-year-old girl was killed in a police encounter within the jurisdiction of Saddar Burewala police station in Burewala.

According to a police spokesperson, a joint team of Model Town and Saddar Burewala police conducted a raid near a railway crossing to apprehend three suspects wanted in a kidnapping case. The suspects opened fire on the police party upon seeing them.

Police retaliated in self-defence. During the exchange of fire, one suspect was killed, reportedly by bullets fired by his own accomplices. He was later identified as Muhammad Naveed alias Nomi, a resident of Karachi.

Police said the deceased had a criminal record in multiple cities, including Karachi, Multan, and Rahim Yar Khan, in cases of kidnapping, rape, murder, and attempted murder. A 30 bore pistol was recovered from his possession.

Police said the suspect was the main accused in the abduction of three-year-old Zoha, who was safely recovered on Eid day. A woman allegedly involved in the case, Saima Bibi, had earlier been arrested and sent to jail, while the vehicle used in the crime was also recovered.

SDPO Burewala Rana Muhammad Imran Tipu visited the scene and shifted the body for postmortem. A search operation was underway to arrest the fleeing accomplice.