Three killed in six 'encounters'

Three alleged criminals were killed and three others injured in six separate encounters involving Gujranwala Police and the Crime Control Department (CCD), while more than 12 kilogrammes of narcotics, stolen property and illegal weapons were recovered during the operations, police said on Friday.

According to police, the operations were carried out under the supervision of City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan in different parts of the district.

In the first encounter, which took place within the jurisdiction of Ladhaywala Warraich Police Station, an alleged robber identified as Amir was killed after he and his accomplices allegedly opened fire on a police checkpoint. Police claimed Amir was struck by bullets fired by his own accomplices during the exchange of fire.

Police said Amir was a repeat offender wanted in more than 25 cases of robbery, highway robbery and theft. He had previously been arrested in an encounter with the CCD and later sent to jail.

A snatched motorcycle, a mobile phone and illegal weapons were recovered from his possession.

In another encounter in the limits of Civil Lines Police Station, an alleged drug dealer identified as Haroon Akhtar was killed after he and his accomplices allegedly fired at a police checkpoint while attempting to escape. Police said he was also hit by bullets fired by his fleeing accomplices.

Haroon Akhtar was described as a record-holder in narcotics cases. Police recovered more than 12 kilograms of hashish and illegal weapons from his possession, while three accomplices managed to escape.

In the People's Colony area, police arrested an alleged criminal, Qaiser Mahmood, after he was injured while allegedly attempting to flee from a police checkpoint.

Police said he was wanted in cases involving murder, attempted murder and drug trafficking. Around 680 grams of hashish were recovered from his possession, while an accomplice escaped.

In a separate operation within the jurisdiction of Aroop Police Station, an alleged robber identified as Shahryar was arrested after being injured while allegedly trying to evade arrest during a police raid. Police said he was wanted in multiple cases of robbery, theft and motorcycle theft.