CIA encounter near Lahore leaves 3 suspected Youhanabad Church attackers dead

CIA SI Maqsood Hayat was injured in the exchange of fire with the suspected militants

LAHORE: Three men, suspected of being involved in the Youhannabad church attack, were killed in an encounter with Crime Investigation Agency’s (CIA) in Batapur village near Lahore on Tuesday evening. A sub-inspector also sustained injuries in the encounter.

According to the area Station House Officer (SHO) Raja Muzammal, CIA raided a suspected militant hideout in Dear Aslam near BRB Canal on a tip-off.

When the suspects saw the officials, they reportedly opened fired at the police party. The police retaliated, killing suspects Sanaullah, Imran and Shah Qanoon.

During the exchange of fire, Sub-Inspector Maqsood Hayat sustained injuries. He was later shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Read: CIA arrests four 'terrorists' from Lahore railway station

Soon after, a heavy contingent of police reached the site and cordoned off the area as investigators started collecting clues.

The suspected terrorists were allegedly involved in the suicide attacks at churches in Youhanabad, Lahore. Police also claimed to have recovered four grenades and a suicide jacket from the site.