Three bandits, two citizens killed

FAISALABAD: At least three bandits wanted by police were shot dead during an encounter with police in Nankana Sahib on Thursday.



An official from Syed Wala police station told Express News that seven bandits barged into a jewellery shop in Main Bazaar area and held the shop owner Zafarullah hostage at gunpoint. The bandits looted jewellery and cash before trying to escape.

However, a security guard deputed in the market challenged the outlaws, while a police team also reached the spot after which a shoot-out ensued, he added.

The official maintained that during the encounter, the bandits also hurled hand grenades at the policemen resulting in chaos at Main Bazaar. He said that as the criminals were equipped with automatic weapons and explosives, police contingents from Nankana Sahib and Sheikhupura were called in to bring the situation under control.

He pointed out that the shoot-out lasted for an hour, after which police managed to arrest one bandit who was injured, while three of his accomplices were killed and two others managed to escape. The injured bandit was identified as Qasim alias Kashi, while the deceased were identified as Imran alias Mani and Amir Ali. The other accomplices, including Hafiz Salman managed to escape.

The police official said the crossfire between the police and criminals also resulted in the death of a shop owner named Zafarullah and passer-by Umar Hayat. He mentioned that the suspects were wanted by the police in a number cases. He said, “The accused had gunned down seven police officials and five innocent citizens during different incidents.” He said, “Faisalabad police had assigned a bounty of Rs2 million on Hafiz Salman.” Police also seized a large quantity of arms and explosives from the possession of the outlaws.



Meanwhile, police have registered a case and have dispatched teams to arrest those who escaped.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2018.