Encounter: Two bandits killed

DPO says motive behind attack will become clear after investigation

MANSEHRA: At least two bandits were killed in an encounter near Geti Das, 65 kilometres from Naran.

This was said by Mansehra DPO Ahsan Saifullah. He was speaking to journalists in Mansehra on Sunday.

He said a police mobile from Babusar Top police post was travelling on Kaghan Road when they realised the road was blocked near Geti Das.

“As the policemen tried to clear the road, armed bandits opened fire on them,” the DPO said. “The police retaliated. As a result, two bandits were killed while head constable Sajid was injured.”

According to the DPO, accomplices of the deceased bandits fled the site. However, after the incident, the police launched a search operation in the area and arrested one of the bandits. The DPO added the bandit was identified as Rizwanullah, who hailed from Chilas.

“The deceased were identified as Ziaullah and Akhtar Munir,” he said. The police shifted the injured head constable and bandit to Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad for treatment. Saifullah told journalists that investigation was under way.

“It would become clearer during the investigation whether the accused wanted to loot people or attack passenger buses,” he said. “This was the same point where 21 passengers, who were Shia, were shot dead during 2014.”

Meanwhile, the DPO announced Rs100,000 cash award for the policemen who participated in the operation against bandits.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd,  2016.