Law and order: 4 policemen killed in shootout with robbers

A robber was killed, a DSP injured.

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Four policemen, including a station house officer, were killed and a DSP was injured on Friday in a shootout with robbers. One of the robbers was also shot and killed.

The deceased policemen were identified as Kot Mubarak SHO Shafiq Malghani, Elite Force personnel Noor Muhammad and Muhammad Irfan, district police Constable Faizanul Husnain. The robber who was killed was identified as Haider Essani.

Police said they received a tip off that Essani, Ibrahim Laddi and Rab Nawaz Gajni, all wanted for kidnap and robbery, were in Essani’s house in Qasba Yaro.

They said three police teams, headed by Saddar DSP Malik Ejaz, arrived on the spot and surrounded the house.

Two of the robbers climbed the roof and shot at the police. The police shot back. However, they fled the scene.

The police entered the house and looked for Essani, who they said, had hidden in a metal trunk. Police said Essani’s wife and children were also in the house at that time.



When the police opened the trunk, Essani shot at them, injuring Sub Inspector Malghani, two Elite Force personnel, a consulate and DSP Ejaz. Essani, too, was shot by police and killed on the spot.

The injured policemen were taken to a hospital, where four of them succumbed to their injuries. DSP Ejaz was said to be out of danger.

Regional Police Officer Abdul Qadir Qayyum and District Police Office Muhammad Abid arrived at the scene.

They ordered a search operation in the area. Over 12 criminals were arrested from the area.

However, police said they were still looking for Essani’s accomplices who had fled earlier.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2014.