Cop martyred, two robbers killed in en-counter

Two suspected robbers were killed and an Elite Force head constable was martyred in a police encounter in Dera Ghazi Khan, while two other police personnel were injured, officials said on Tuesday.

The encounter took place in the Basti Mir Wali Bela area within the jurisdiction of Sadar Dera Ghazi Khan Police Station. Police said another unidenti-fied suspect was also injured but managed to escape.

According to a police spokesperson, a team led by the City Deputy Superintendent of Police raided the residence of suspected robbers Hanif alias Hanifi Hibtani Laghari and Junaid alias Junaidi Hibtani Laghari.

The suspects were allegedly wanted in connection with dozens of criminal cases.

As the police team reached the house, the suspects allegedly opened fire.

Elite Force Head Constable Muhammad Imran was criti-cally injured in the firing and later succumbed to his wounds. Elite Constable Gulab Khan was also in-jured.

Police said Sub-Inspector Imtiaz Alam Khosa, a for-mer SHO of Gaddai Police Station, also sustained mi-nor injuries after a bullet pierced his bulletproof vest.

Police returned fire, killing both Hanif and Junaid at the scene, while an unidentified suspect report-edly fled in an injured condition.

The deceased suspects, martyred constable and in-jured policemen were shifted to the Trauma Centre through Rescue 1122. Following the incident, Dera Ghazi Khan District Po-lice Officer Muhammad Sadiq Baloch reached the scene and took charge of the operation.

Police subsequently launched a search operation in the surrounding area to trace the fleeing suspect.