By ABDULLAH 
Two men, including the prime suspect in the widely circulated Ghaziabad gold snatching incident, were shot dead in an alleged police encounter in the Manawan area of Lahore, officials confirmed.
The deceased, identified as Faraz Ali and his accomplice John Shah, were accused of violently snatching gold earrings from an elderly woman — an act captured on CCTV that triggered nationwide outrage.
According to Lahore police, the encounter took place when a CCD Cantt team moved in to arrest the suspects, who had been under surveillance. Officials claim the men opened fire first, prompting police to retaliate.
Station House Officer (SHO) Atif Zulfiqar narrowly escaped serious injury as bullets struck his bulletproof jacket during the exchange of fire.
Both suspects died on the spot. Police say they had extensive criminal records and were wanted in multiple serious cases across Lahore.
The operation followed directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who had ordered immediate action after the viral video sparked public anger.
Investigators are now probing possible links between the suspects and other unsolved crimes in the city.
The incident has reignited debates around police encounters in Pakistan, with some praising swift justice while others calling for transparent investigations.
Disclaimer: This report is based on police statements and publicly available information. It is intended solely for informational purposes and does not promote or endorse any form of extrajudicial action.