Three suspected armed robbers were killed, allegedly by the gunfire of their accomplices, during a late-night encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) near Jallah Araain in Lodhran.

According to a spokesperson for the CCD, a patrolling team was stationed near Pul Behishti on the Multan, Lodhran Road when five unidentified men on two motorcycles approached from the direction of Multan in suspicious circumstances.

Upon being signalled to stop for a routine check, the suspects reportedly broke through the checkpoint and fled towards the government forest area.

The CCD team pursued them, after which the suspects allegedly took cover behind trees and opened fire on the police.

In response, the CCD officers returned fire while taking cover behind trees and irrigation channels.

The police claim they repeatedly warned the suspects to surrender, but the suspects continued firing while moving around each other.

Once the firing ceased, the police searched the area using torches and found three suspects severely wounded.

Upon inspection, all three were found dead, reportedly shot by their own accomplices during the crossfire. Near the bodies, police recovered two 30-bore pistols, a rifle, and a motorcycle.

The deceased remain unidentified and the bodies have been sent to a hospital for post-mortem examination. Officials said efforts are under way to confirm their identities.

CCD sources suggest the suspects were allegedly involved in recent bank robbery attempts and armed assaults in Karachi, Muzaffargarh, and Dera Ghazi Khan. The group was also suspected of shooting a boy during a robbery in Jallah Araain and firing at a vehicle during a failed bank robbery attempt in Dunyapur last week.