KARACHI: A 17-year-old girl lost her life after being hit by a stray bullet during an alleged police encounter with suspected robbers in Karachi’s Landhi area.
Police officials said the incident took place near Korangi No. 6 Market when officers confronted individuals believed to be involved in street crime. As police attempted to pursue them, the suspects reportedly fired shots in multiple directions.
Tragically, one of the bullets struck the teenage girl, who was travelling in a rickshaw with her mother and younger brother while returning from a visit to her grandmother. She was rushed for help but did not survive. The victim was the only daughter in her family.
According to police, one suspect riding a motorcycle, later identified as Mola Bakhsh, was injured during the encounter and taken into custody. His accomplice escaped while allegedly firing shots and fled with stolen cash.
Footage circulating on social media later showed the injured suspect being detained on the road, where a group of bystanders gathered and reportedly attacked him before police intervened. He was later shifted to a hospital in a police vehicle.
Authorities stated that the operation was part of an ongoing crackdown against street criminals. An inquiry has been launched to determine the exact circumstances that led to the girl’s death.
In a separate incident earlier, Karachi police reported killing a highly wanted criminal during a shootout in the Model Colony area on New Year’s night.
Police said officers on routine patrol noticed two suspicious men and attempted to stop them. The suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting a brief exchange. One suspect was killed, while the other managed to escape.
The deceased was identified as Rizwan, a known offender with over two dozen cases registered against him, according to SSP Korangi Fida Hussain Janwari. Police said he was involved in several serious crimes, including the killing of a 12-year-old boy, and that CCTV footage existed linking him to multiple incidents.
A pistol and ammunition were recovered from the scene, police added.
