PAKPATTAN, Pakistan (Dunya News) – Three people, including two women and a young girl, were killed while 11 others sustained serious injuries after a vehicle allegedly used by a goat theft gang lost control and struck pedestrians during an attempted escape in Pakpattan.
According to police officials, the incident occurred on 19-SP Road when suspected members of a goat theft gang allegedly opened fire on police patrol personnel. Police responded with retaliatory action, prompting the suspects to flee the scene.
During the escape attempt, the suspects’ vehicle reportedly went out of control, running over pedestrians before crashing into a passenger rickshaw and eventually colliding with a tree.
Police said the deceased included two female pedestrians and a minor girl, while the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.
The District Police Officer (DPO) stated that two women suspected of links with the gang were arrested at the scene, while other suspects abandoned the vehicle and escaped into nearby maize fields.
A heavy police contingent reached the area immediately after the incident and launched a search operation. Authorities said the area had been cordoned off and efforts were underway to trace and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Police officials said further investigation into the incident is ongoing.