The prime accused in the murder of journalist and Samaa TV’s senior producer Athar Mateen was gunned down in an encounter with police in Qambar Shahdadkot early Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to police officials, the action was the result of a joint operation by Karachi West police and Qambar police after receiving a tip-off about the presence of the accused, who opened firing as soon as he saw the police party.

Accused Anwar Husni had fired bullets on journalist Athar Mateen. His accomplice was also arrested on February 26.

Police officials informed that there was a reward of Rs2 million for information leading to the arrest of Anwar Husni.

According to the slain accused’s criminal record obtained by the 24News TV channel, there had been 13 cases registered against Anwar Husni in Karachi’s different police stations.

The accused had been involved in numerous incidents of dacoities, murder and other crimes and had been arrested thrice earlier.

The accused who was arrested on Saturday last had been produced before an anti-terrorism court on Monday which remanded the suspect in police custody for investigation until March 11.

Police produced the suspect, named Ashraf, before the court and sought his physical remand. He was brought to the court in an armoured personnel carrier (APC) with his face covered with a piece of cloth.

On February 18, unidentified armed men had opened fire on a vehicle in Karachi’s Nazimabad area, killing Athar Mateen as he tried to foil a mugging bid.

Reporter Shazaib Hassan