Three alleged car lifters and dacoits belonging to an inter-provincial gang were killed on Wednesday during an encounter with police in Quetta’s Jinnah Town, officials confirmed.
According to police, the Serious Crimes Investigation Wing, along with local police, launched a targeted search operation in the upscale Jinnah Town area after receiving a tip-off about the gang’s presence. During the sweep, law enforcement spotted three suspects attempting to raid a car on Samungli Road.
Police signalled the vehicle to stop, but the suspects stepped out and opened fire, attempting to flee. The police team retaliated immediately, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire that continued for nearly an hour. All three suspects were killed in the encounter.
The bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta, where one suspect was identified as Sajid Hussain, a resident of Jaffarabad district.
A senior police officer said the suspects were part of a major inter-provincial car-lifting network. “Sajid Hussain was wanted by Sindh and Punjab police in 172 cases. The other two accomplices are yet to be identified,” the officer said.
The gang was reportedly involved in transporting stolen vehicles to Balochistan and selling them in Quetta and other districts. Police had earlier arrested four members of the same network during separate operations.
Authorities said further investigation is underway, and more arrests are expected as police widen the crackdown on organised car-lifting groups.
Broader Crackdown Across Balochistan
Last week, Inspector General of Balochistan Police Muhammad Tahir reiterated that safeguarding citizens’ lives and property remains the force’s top priority. He said police operations against criminal elements have intensified across the province.
Officials reported that police units across all ranges demonstrated strong performance in recent actions carried out on the IG’s directives. Operations targeted wanted and absconding suspects, repeat offenders, motorcycle thieves, street snatchers, drug traffickers and individuals storing illegal weapons.
Multiple suspects linked to murder cases, unresolved homicide investigations, and other criminal activities were arrested. Police also recovered a significant cache of weapons and prohibited items, dealing a major blow to criminal networks operating in various districts.
