Five killed in ‘police encounters’ in three months

Police personnel remain unhurt in these incidents

GUJRANWALA:

Five suspected criminals were killed in different police encounters in the region during the past three months.

In February, a police encounter was reported in the area of Saddar Kamonki police station where CIA received a tip that some robbers were fleeing after a robbery. As soon as police intercepted them near a toll plaza, fire was opened, in which one of the suspected dacoits was shot.

Another alleged police encounter took place near the Nowshera Wirkan police station after Yasir alias Yasiri escaped from custody.

Two hours later, it was reported that the suspect was looting people along with his accomplices in Kot Ladha area after blocking a road.

Upon receiving the information, police reached the spot and an exchange of fire took place in which Yasir was shot dead by his own accomplices, while all the policemen remained unhurt, according to officials.

Three other suspects were also shot dead by allegedly unknown assailants in recent incidents but the police have not been able to reveal the registration numbers of their motorcycles or their appearance.

Alipur Chattha police arrested Khurram alias Kharmi Butt, who had been wanted for 18 years. The police claimed that they took the suspect to a place to recover weapons that he had hidden 18 years ago after a murder.

According to the FIR, four unidentified assailants arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire. The policemen could barely save their own lives, but Khurram escaped with handcuffs.

More personnel were called and police fired in retaliation. When the firing stopped, Khurram Butt was found injured. The police said he was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Another encounter involved Atif Zaman alias Ati Lahoria, who was wanted in 13 cases and had fled abroad in 2014. He was eventually caught in Hungary with the help of Interpol.

The suspect reportedly requested the European Union authorities not to hand him over to Pakistan police, alleging that they would kill him.

Punjab Police lodged a case in the Supreme Court of Hungary and provided evidence. The trial went on for four years. After his arrest, CPO Sarfraz Ahmed Falaki said the plaintiffs of the cases should appear before the courts without fear and testify against the suspect so that he could be punished.

But the very next day, when Atif was also reportedly being taken to Ada Macharawan for recovery of arms, four unidentified assailants on two motorcycles attacked him.

A crossfire took place and when it stopped, the assailants had fled and Atif had been killed.

When contacted, CPO Sarfraz Falaki said a judicial inquiry was being conducted in the case of Atif Zaman. The rest of the cases are also being investigated and any official found negligent will be punished, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2021.