CCD claims killing two wanted criminals in encounters

GUJRANWALA:

Two alleged robbers wanted in more than 80 criminal cases were killed in separate encounters with the Crime Control Department (CCD), while district police arrested five alleged habitual offenders in separate operations across Gujranwala, police said.

Police said the CCD launched intelligence-based operations under the supervision of Regional Officer Rizwan Tariq and District Officer Ansar Mohal to apprehend two suspects allegedly involved in a series of robbery, highway robbery, murder, attempted murder and other serious offences in Gujranwala as well as Okara, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Pakpattan and other districts.

Police said one of the suspects, identified as Ilyas alias Ilyasa, was traced near Tatlay Aali. During the operation, he and his accomplices allegedly opened fire on the CCD team, prompting retaliatory fire.

After the exchange ended, police found Ilyas dead. Authorities claimed he was struck by bullets fired by his own accomplices during the crossfire. Police said he was wanted in more than 25 criminal cases.

In another operation near the Upper Chenab Canal, police attempted to arrest Rashid alias Bandesha, whom they described as a notorious suspect wanted in around 60 serious criminal cases.

The CCD claimed that the suspect allegedly refused to surrender and opened fire while trying to escape with his accomplices.