LAHORE : Punjab Police continued vigorous crackdown against electricity thieves across the province on the directions of CM Punjab.
Sharing details, the Punjab Police spokesperson said that during the current year, 28,216 cases have been registered against electricity thieves across the province, including Lahore, while 20,345 accused persons have been arrested. Challans in 17,839 electricity theft cases have been completed, and 2,482 individuals involved in electricity theft have been awarded punishments and fined by the courts. In the provincial capital Lahore, 7,298 cases of electricity theft have been registered, while 7,932 electricity thieves have been arrested.
Two injured robbers arrested after encounters
Two suspected robbers were arrested in injured condition during separate police encounters in Shahdara and Ravi Road areas, while their alleged accomplices managed to escape.
Reportedly, Shahdara police were on routine patrol when officers signalled three suspicious individuals to stop. Instead of complying, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police party. Police returned fire in self-defence, and after the exchange ended, one of the suspects, identified as Shehroz, was found injured. Investigators believe he was struck by gunfire from his own accomplices during the encounter. In a separate incident, Ravi Road police attempted to stop two suspicious motorcyclists riding a motorcycle without a registration number plate near Batti Chowk.
The suspects allegedly sped away, prompting a police chase.
During the pursuit, the suspects reportedly opened fire on the police team. Moments later, they lost control of their motorcycle and fell to the ground. One suspect, identified as Zain Khalid, was injured by gunfire allegedly fired by his accomplice and was subsequently taken into custody.
He was shifted to hospital for medical treatment. The second suspect managed to escape, and police have launched a search operation to trace and arrest him.
According to police records, the arrested suspects are allegedly involved in more than 30 cases, including robbery, kidnapping, theft and other criminal offences. Further investigations are under way.
