Peshawar: Police here on Sunday claimed to have killed four robbers, including alleged gang leader Waqar alias Major, during an encounter in the Yakatoot area.
According to police, Waqar alias Major was allegedly the head of a dangerous robbery gang wanted by police in three provinces as well as Islamabad. He had reportedly been involved in organized crime for nearly 15 years.
Police said the gang operated not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also in Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad. Its members were allegedly wanted in several cases involving serious crimes.
Officials identified other key members and associates of the gang as Sahil, Ijaz, Hafiz, Gran Wali and Ali. The suspects had reportedly been nominated and arrested more than a dozen times in different cases and had also secured bail from courts.
Police alleged that the gang members used clothing and equipment resembling those of security forces during robberies. They reportedly carried wireless communication devices, Wi-Fi jammers and modern weapons.
According to police, the suspects used to posed as intelligence or security officials and entered homes on the pretext of conducting searches. They would then rob residents of cash, gold and other valuables before fleeing the scene.
During the encounter, four gang members were killed, while two others managed to escape. Police said a search operation was underway to arrest fleeing suspects.
Further details about the encounter and the previous criminal cases against the deceased suspects are being collected, police said.
