Abduction, drug suspects slain

Police claim three others injured by accomplices during encounters

DIJKOT:

A suspected drug trafficker and a kidnapper were killed and three other suspects injured in police encounters in Faisalabad on Friday.

According to officials, personnel from Ghulam Muhammad Abad police station traced the suspected kidnappers of five-year-old Fajr through CCTV footage and raided a hideout near Sidhu Pura Bridge.

The suspect allegedly opened fire on the police, triggering an exchange of gunfire in which Bilal, a resident of Goshala Mor, was allegedly shot dead by his accomplices.

The kidnapped girl was rescued and reunited with her family.

In another incident, Jaranwala city police chased a suspicious car after its occupants allegedly opened fire on them near Chak 240-GB.

During an ensuing encounter, suspected drug trafficker Zubair was reportedly hit by gunfire from his accomplices and died.

The police seized 99.2kg of charas, ice drug and weapons from the abandoned vehicle after the crossfire.

Meanwhile, Razabad police arrested two injured suspects, Abrar Masih and Afzal Saleem, after an exchange of fire near Chautar Majra graveyard. Police claimed both were wounded by shots fired by their accomplices and drugs and weapons were seized from their possession.

In another encounter near Chak 138-GB, Tarkhani police arrested Abbas after he was allegedly injured by gunfire from his fleeing accomplice, Hamza, who remains at large.

The police registered cases on charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, narcotics offences and obstruction of official duties. Investigations into the incidents were under way.

Six cops dismissed

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sohail Akhtar Sukhaira dismissed six police officials, including a former station house officer (SHO), on charges of corruption, abuse of authority, poor performance and negligence, while handing down disciplinary punishments to seven others and granting amnesty to 31 officials.

The decisions were announced during orderly room proceedings at the Police Lines Complex, where over 100 officials appeared in connection with departmental appeals.

Those dismissed included former Satiana SHO Asif Ali, Iqbal Town Reader Ali Asghar, Sub-Inspector Waqas Sarwar, Head Constable Aamir Shahzad, Constable Farooq Nawaz and Chiniot Constable Manzar Hussain.

Ghulam Muhammad Abad SHO Yousaf Shehzad was demoted to the rank of SI over poor performance. Sub-Inspectors Muhammad Saleem and Arsalan Rashid were each awarded a two-year forfeiture of service, while Tafseer Abbas received a one-year promotion stoppage for a faulty investigation.

Inspector Iftikhar Ahmad faced pay demotion for exceeding his authority and three other officials also received departmental punishments.

The RPO approved the appeals of 31 officials, granting them general amnesty. He directed police personnel to treat the public respectfully and prioritise the protection of citizens' lives and property.