Three dacoits were shot dead, and two of their companions fled during two police encounters in Arifwala and Pattoki. The first encounter occurred within the jurisdiction of Ahmad Yar Police Station in Arifwala in which one dacoit was shot dead during heavy exchange of fire. The CTD team said that the dead dacoit was involved in dozens of criminal incidents, including murder and snatching.

After the police encounter, local residents chanted slogans in favour of Counter Terrorism Department personnel. In the second police encounter which occurred Karniwala located in the jurisdiction of Saddar Police Station of Pattoki two dacoits were shot dead and one policeman received injuries. The Crime Control Department (CCD) team said that the dead dacoits were identified as Ali Sher Orah and Mushtaq Orah.

The CCD team said that the dead dacoits were involved in serious criminal activities including dacoity, snatching, murder and attempted murder. CCD team also recovered golden jewellery and currency from the procession of the dead dacoits. The injured policeman received serious bullet wounds on his arm, was later shifted to the local hospital for treatment.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)