2 alleged criminals killed in separate encounters

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Police encounter in Lahore. Photo: Express (file)

GUJRANWALA:

Two alleged criminals were killed and another was arrested in injured condition during three separate police encounters in different parts of Gujranwala, police said on Wednesday.

The operations were conducted as part of an ongoing crackdown against criminal elements under the supervision of City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Sardar Ghias Gul Khan.

Police said the first encounter took place within the jurisdiction of Gakhar Mandi Police Station, where SHO Aurangzeb and his team were conducting an operation related to the recovery of stolen property.

During the operation, two unidentified accomplices allegedly opened fire on the police party in an attempt to free suspect Abid alias Aabi from custody.

Police returned fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire.

During the shootout, Abid was allegedly struck by bullets fired by his own accomplices and died on the spot, while Constable Ghulam Abbas sustained injuries. The attackers managed to escape.

Police said Abid was on physical remand in a theft case registered at Sohdra Police Station and was involved in more than 30 serious criminal cases across Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib districts.

In another encounter within the limits of City Kamoke Police Station, SHO Shujaat Afzal Butt and his team confronted an alleged drug trafficker identified as Yasir alias Chattwa.

Police said the suspect, accompanied by three unidentified associates, opened indiscriminate fire on a police checkpoint.

During the exchange of fire, Yasir was allegedly killed by bullets fired by his own accomplices, while the other suspects fled the scene.

Police described Yasir as a notorious drug dealer with a criminal record in multiple narcotics cases registered at various police stations in Gujranwala.