KARACHI: A suspect in the murder of NED student Bilal Nasir was killed near the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST), the police said on Saturday as it struggles in its war against street crimes plaguing the law and order of Pakistan’s economic hub.

“A raid was conducted for the arrest of Jumma near FUUAST on a tip and an encounter ensued. The accused fired straight on police who took a position in self defence. Resultantly one accused Jumma was killed by the firing of his co-accused who managed to escape,” SSP East Karachi Abdul Rahim Sheerazi said.

Bilal, a young engineering student, was shot dead when he put up resistance to a robbery bid at a tea shop outside the main university gate near Samama Shopping Mall on Thursday.

The incident sparked outrage on social media with students holding protest demonstrations on campus against the murder. It prompted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori to take notice of the incident.

The police had claimed that Nizamuddin, one of two suspects, was arrested in injured condition during an encounter on Super Highway on December 16. He had disclosed information about his accomplice Jumma Khan alias ‘Laali’ during interrogation.

A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the site, the SSP said, adding that Jumma Khan was a resident of Jamali Goth.

According to police, the accomplice was a wanted criminal. The first information report (FIR) registered against him included sections 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempting to cause death or grievous hurt), 302 (punishment of qatl-i-amd) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

During the interrogation it was revealed that Nazimuddin was also arrested on October 8 because of his apparent involvement in street crimes and two cases were registered against him.

Armed muggers have killed at least 10 people and wounded over a dozen in the first two weeks of December.

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Murtaza Wahab confirmed the police statement in a press conference in Karachi earlier today.

“The suspect was released in seven days after submitting a surety bond of Rs50,000,” he said and lamented the December 15 incident.

“The citizen would not have been killed if accused Nizamuddin was not released,” Wahab said. “We have not been successful in controlling street crimes.

“There must be some shortcomings on the side of prosecution or police. But this [street crime] is an issue that needs to be addressed on an emergency basis. We have to work together,” Wahab said.