December 22, 2001	Saturday	Shawwal 6, 1422

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LAKKI MARWAT, Dec 21: One proclaimed offender was killed and six other outlaws were arrested after an exchange of fire with the police on Friday.

Police sources said that the Lakki police, acting on a tip-off, raided a den of anti-social elements at the Tarikhel village, about 45km from here.

Personnel from the anti-terrorist squad, Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Reserved Police and APCs joined the raiding party headed by the DSP of Serai Naurang, Sikandar Khan.

The police cordoned off the area and ordered the outlaws to surrender, but they opened fire, sources said.

Ringleader Hakim Khan alias Hakimi, who was wanted to the police for his involvement in 15 cases, was killed.

Those arrested were identified as Javed Khan, Yousaf Khan, Mohammad Amin, Mohammad Jan, Amanullah and Matiullah. They faced charges in 28 cases.

The police seized six hand-grenades of foreign make, four Kalashnikovs, one 303 rifle, one double-barrel gun and more than 100 rounds.

The police also took into custody Bayaz Khan, Irfanullah and Maula Din on the charge of harbouring the outlaws.

SP Abdullah told a press conference in the Tajori police station that the operation against outlaws and anti-social elements would continue.

One of the accused, Matiullah, recently returned from Bamiyan in Afghanistan where he reportedly fought anti-Taliban forces for nine months.

Matiullah told Dawn that he had gone to Tarikhel to reclaim his money he had lent to a friend. He said he was not involved in any criminal activity.

Other sources said that Matiullah had joined the Hakimi gang to take revenge for the murder of his brother Ihsanullah, who was killed allegedly by Gul Salam, head of another gang.