OKARA: Three suspects were killed in firing by their own accomplices during a `shootout` here on Wednesday night near Pul Diaram in Dipalpur city police precincts.

According to the first information report, a night patrol led by station house officer/sub-inspector was stationed at Pul Sobha Ram for routine crime checking when a wireless alert reported that six robbers on three motorcycles had just committed a robbery near Chak Shah Muhammad in the Saddar Dipalpur area.

The robbers had snatched cash, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle from a victim, Shahid, and were reportedly heading towards the Pul Diaram area.

Acting on the information, the police team rushed to the location and spotted six unidentified suspects on three motorcycles. Upon seeing the police mobile van, thesuspects opened fire. The police called for reinforcements. Despite repeated warnings to surrender, the suspects continued firing in an attempt to escape.

The gunfire exchange lasted around 20-25 minutes, during which the suspects kept changing positions and firing at the police.

Eventually, the shooting from the suspects` side ended. Using searchlights, the police combed the area and found the body of an unidentified man beside the road. A weapon with one live round, Rs4,000 in cash, and a mobile phone were recovered from the scene.

A short distance away, another unidentified body was found with a weapon, one live bullet, Rs4,500 in cash, a CNIC snatched from Shahid Maqbool, a wristwatch and a mobile phone. Further along the road, a third body was discovered with a weapon, Rs4,000 in cash, an ATM card belonging to Shakil Abbas, a mobile phone and a motorcycle bearing registrationnumber (OKE-22-5421).

The other three suspects managed to nee under the cover of darkness. The recovered weapons, cash, mobile phones, CNIC, ATM card, wristwatch, and motorcycle were seized by police.

On the complaint of SHO Saeed Ahmad, Dipalpur City police registered a case under sections 302, 324, 353,186,148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), along with sections 13-2(a) and 20 of the Punjab Arms Ordinance, 1965.

The bodies were shifted to the hospital for post-mortem examination.

Later, the deceased suspects were identified. Two of them Mujahid Ali, a proclaimed offender in a dacoity case registered at Saddar Police Station, Kasur, and Fakhar Hayat were both originally from Okara and were wanted in 18 and 27 criminal cases, respectively. The third suspect was identified as Bashir Ahmad from Vehari, who was involved in 16 criminal cases.