By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: Police in Karachi’s Sukhan area have arrested a suspected repeat offender believed to be involved in monitoring people withdrawing cash from banks, following an exchange of fire during a patrol.
According to police, officers attempted to stop two men riding a motorcycle near a soda factory in Bhains Colony after finding them suspicious. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police, prompting officers to return fire. One suspect was arrested unharmed, while his accomplice escaped under the cover of darkness.
Police have launched a search operation and are carrying out raids in an effort to trace and arrest the fleeing suspect. The arrested man was identified as Jafar Ghazi, who was found in possession of a .30 bore pistol and two live rounds, police said.
Initial investigations suggest the suspect was involved in surveilling customers withdrawing money from banks before potential robberies. Police said CCTV footage, technical evidence and other investigative material are being examined as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Investigators also described the suspect as a habitual offender with a criminal record across several districts. He has previously been arrested in multiple cases and has served jail terms following arrests by Malir City, Quaid, Aziz Bhatti, Rizvia, KIA and Azizabad police stations.
Police said legal proceedings have been initiated against the suspect, while efforts to arrest his alleged accomplice are continuing.
