As many as five notorious dacoits were shot dead in four police encounters in Lahore, Okara , Sialkot and Chiniot. In the first police encounter, which took place in Nawankot area of Lahore, an accused who was in police custody killed by the firing of his colleagues. Sources said that a Crime Control Department (CCD) team was taking the accused Qasim Ali for recovery. The companions of the dacoit who were waiting for the police van started firing at the police van in a bid to free the dacoit from the police custody.

The CCD team said that the police wanted the dead dacoit in more than two dozen cases. The second police encounter occurred in the Chak No 135 located in the jurisdiction of Rajoa Police Station of Chiniot, where one dacoit died after receiving serious bullet wounds from the firing of his companions. The other companion had escaped from the scene. Sources said that Crime Control Department (CCD) team led by ASI Ejaz Asghar came face-to-face with the dacoits.

After noticing the CCD team, the dacoits started firing at them. During a heavy exchange of gunfire, one dacoit, later identified as Sarfraz, a Salutra caste resident of Chak No. 12, was killed. Police said that the accused, Sarfraz was wanted by the authorities because he was a police record holder. The second police encounter took place at Iqbal Town near Railway Station under the jurisdiction of B Division Police Station, Okara in which three dacoits opened fire on the police van.

Sources said police received information that three dacoits were looting the people after putting barricades on the road. The police team that was on their routine round-up rushed to the spot. After seeing the police van, the dacoits started firing at them. The police team opened fire in self-defense. During heavy exchange of firing, one dacoit was killed by the firing of his colleagues, and two of their colleagues fled away from the scene, taking advantage of the darkness.

Soon after receiving the report, a heavy contingent of police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area. The identification of dead dacoit is still unknown. Police after taking custody of dead body shifted it to the hospital. Police said that the remaining dacoits will be arrested soon.

The fourth police encounter took place at Ladhar Chowk in the jurisdiction of Saddar Police Station, Sialkot. According to the details, a police team signaled three suspicious people who were riding a motorcycle to stop instead the dacoits started firing on the police party and escaped from the spot.

The police also started firing on the dacoits in retaliation and cordoned off the area. During the search the police party recovered two dead bodies of the accused. Police also recovered one motorcycle and two 30-bore pistols near the dead bodies. A spokesman of police said that one accused escaped from the scene, taking advantage of the darkness. A search operation is underway to apprehend the dacoits.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)