KARACHI: A suspected gangster was shot dead while another managed to escape after an `encounter`in Soldier Bazaar on Wednesday, according to police.

They said police were patrolling the area of Garden West adjacent to Lyari Expressway which had reportedly become a `hot spot` for snatching in the early morning. They signalled two suspects riding a motorcycle to stop, but the outlaws opened fire.

When police returned fire, the pillion rider who was firing got wounded and fell off the motorcycle. His accomplice fled.

Later on, the wounded identified as Amir Shahjehan, a resident of Golimar, died during treatment in a hospital.

`He was associated with gangsters linked with Lyari,` claimed Karachi-East SSP Javed Jiskani.