LAHORE: Lahore police arrested an injured robbery suspect after he allegedly called emergency helpline 15 and posed as a mugging victim following a shootout with police, officials said.

The suspect, who sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter, reportedly told police that unidentified robbers had shot him while he was resisting a mugging attempt.

However, when police reached the location to investigate the reported robbery, they allegedly found inconsistencies in his account and discovered that he was one of the suspects involved in the earlier encounter.

According to FIR-1302/26 registered at Ravi Road Police Station, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday near 32 Chowk along Ravi Road, where police were conducting vehicle checks.

A police team led by Sub-Inspector Muhammad Aamer was deployed at a picket near the 32 Chowk flyover when two men riding a red Honda 70 motorcycle approached at around 3:40am.

Police officials used searchlights and hand signals to instruct the riders to stop. However, according to the FIR, the motorcycle driver accelerated towards the police picket and attempted to breach the barricade.

Trainee Assistant Sub-Inspector Abid Raza and Constable Mahtab tried to intercept the motorcycle but were allegedly struck as the riders broke through the police line.

The suspects then allegedly opened fire on the police team, prompting officers to take cover and return fire.

During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects was wounded by a bullet, after which both men reportedly abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot.

Police alerted other divisions and established checkpoints in an attempt to intercept the fleeing suspects.

Injured suspect poses as robbery victim

Unable to escape and suffering from a gunshot wound, the injured suspect allegedly contacted the emergency helpline and fabricated a story that he had been shot during a robbery.

When police arrived to record his statement about the alleged mugging, inconsistencies reportedly emerged during questioning.

A police official said the suspect eventually confessed that he was one of the robbers who had been wounded during the encounter with police.

According to the official, the suspect told investigators that his accomplice had abandoned him after he was injured.

Police took the injured suspect to a hospital, where he was placed under armed guard for treatment.

Cases have been registered against the suspect under Sections 353 and 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from performing official duties and obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions.

Police said efforts were under way to trace and arrest the fleeing accomplice.

The incident remains under investigation, with police continuing their search for the second suspect and probing the suspects’ alleged involvement in other criminal activities.