University student kills two 'robbers', loses life in gun battle

Karachi [Pakistan]: A university student lost his life but killed two suspected muggers in a gun battle near New Sabzi Mandi in Karachi on Superhighway in the early hours of Wednesday, Dawn reported, citing police and his relatives.

Tragic Incident Near New Sabzi Mandi

The Pakistan-based news daily reported that Sheikh Muhammad Nihal, 22, and his uncle, Sheikh Muhammad Ayaz, were returning to their home in North Nazimabad on a motorbike after attending a dinner late on Tuesday night.

SITE-Superhighway SHO Zulfiqar Bhangwar said that they were intercepted by armed muggers, also riding a motorcycle, near Jamali Pul.

Deadly Exchange of Gunfire

However, Sheikh Nihal, who possessed a licenced pistol, took out his weapon and started firing. The muggers also opened fire, and in an exchange of gunfire, two suspects, Nihal and his uncle, suffered bullet wounds.

The police said that both the suspects and Nihal died on the spot, Dawn reported.

Victims Rushed to Hospital

The bodies and the wounded were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where doctors said that the condition of Sheikh Ayaz was stable as he sustained a bullet wound in the hand.

Slain Nihal was a student in the architecture department at Nazeer Husain University. He was the only son of his parents.

Funeral Held Amidst Mourning

Later in the day, his funeral prayers were offered at a local mosque in North Nazimabad amid moving scenes, Dawn reported.

 Outcry Against Rising Street Crime

A grief-stricken uncle of the victim lamented that the city had been left at the mercy of armed robbers. Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Ali Khurshidi, who also attended the funeral, expressed concern over the alarming rise in the killing of innocent citizens by robbers. He demanded that the governor and other authorities take immediate action to curb street crime in Karachi.

Till date, 68 citizens have been shot dead by robbers in Karachi during the first five months of the current year. However, the police claimed that the number of people killed by robbers stood at 52.

(ANI)