'Wanted criminal' shot dead

A suspect wanted in 48 criminal cases in South Punjab, was killed in an alleged encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) Khanewal, police said on Tuesday.

Police said Nazir Ahmed alias Nazir Awad, a resident of village 4-AH near Khanewal, was killed during an exchange of fire with CCD personnel in a mango orchard in Kabirwala.

He had been involved in crimes including murder, dacoity, highway robbery and contract killings, with cases registered against him in several districts across Punjab, including Sargodha, Haroonabad, Chishtian, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Multan, Vehari, Rajanpur and Hasilpur. Police said Nazir Awad had been active in the criminal world since 1996 and was considered a "mentor" by dacoits operating in riverine (kacha) areas as well as criminal gangs across the province.

He was regarded as one of the most feared criminals in Khanewal, often terrorising rivals by opening fire on their homes. Last year, he allegedly shot dead a Khanewal Municipal Committee employee, Zafar Gujjar, in broad daylight while the victim was on his way to duty.