Metro53 - GUJRAT: Two suspects accused in last month’s brutal murder of an elderly couple in the Badhwal area of Dinga were killed during an alleged police encounter after unidentified armed men attacked a police party, officials said on Thursday.
According to police, the suspects, identified as Muhammad Sajil and Abu Bakar, were being transported for recovery of stolen items linked to the double murder and robbery case when their accomplices allegedly opened fire on the police convoy near Badhwal.
Police said six armed assailants riding three motorcycles carried out indiscriminate firing in an attempt to free the detained suspects. During the attack, the suspects were allegedly rescued by their accomplices, who managed to flee the scene.
A heavy police contingent later launched a search operation in the surrounding area. During the operation near Panjan Shehana, both suspects were reportedly found injured.
Officials said the injured men were shifted to hospital but succumbed to their injuries on the way.
The two suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly couple in Badhwal last month. Police alleged that the assailants had slit the throats of the victims before escaping with cash and valuables from the house.
Authorities claimed that stolen property worth around Rs4 million had earlier been recovered from the suspects.
Police said search operations and checkpoints across the district were continuing to arrest the remaining suspects involved in the attack and alleged escape attempt.
