LAHORE: Three men accused of carrying out a robbery at a restaurant in Lahore were killed in what police described as an encounter during a recovery operation, officials said.
The robbery took place on the night of February 20 in the Lytton Road area, where three armed individuals entered a restaurant and allegedly held customers and staff at gunpoint. According to police, cash and mobile phones were taken before the suspects fled the scene.
CCTV footage of the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting a police investigation. Authorities said the suspects were later traced with the help of Safe City surveillance cameras and arrested in separate operations conducted in Sahiwal and Narowal.
Police stated that approximately Rs1.2 million in cash was recovered from the suspects during the arrests.
According to officials, the accused were being transported for further recovery when unidentified accomplices allegedly opened fire near Karol Ghati. Police said the detained suspects were fatally wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
The deceased were identified by police as Naeem, Ashraf and Kabir. Authorities said one of the suspects had a prior criminal record. An investigation into the encounter has been initiated in accordance with legal procedures.
Police have not confirmed whether any officers were injured during the incident.
