SARGODHA, Sept 15: A constable and a highwayman were killed in an encounter late Tuesday night in Kot Miana, some 45kms from here in the limits of Midh Ranjha police station.

Three armed robbers looted Rs40,000 in cash from the Hamid Nasir Ranjha filling station in Rampur area in the jurisdiction of Mela police station. The owner immediately informed the police about the incident. At this, the policemen of Mela and Midh Ranjha police stations chased the culprits who were also joined by the Bhalwal ASP and Kotmomen DSP.

Finding police close to them, the culprits took refuge in nearby sugarcane fields and started firing on them which was returned. As a result, outlaw Mushtaq of Chiniot and constable Saifullah died instantly.

Meanwhile, Sargodha DPO Muhammad Naeem Khan summoned reinforcement from Mianwali, including elite force commandos, and besieged the sugarcane fields. As the day dawn, one of the accused identified as Riaz alias Aalam surrendered to police while his another accomplice managed to escape. Police claimed that they would arrest the absconding culprit within next 24 hours.

The police further said that accused Riaz and Mushtaq were wanted by Sheikhupura and Jhang police in more than three murder- cum-dacoity cases. Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of constable Saifullah were offered here on Wednesday at the Police Lines. DIG Faiz Ahmed Mir, DPO Muhammad Naeem Khan and other police high-ups and subordinate staff also attended the funeral prayers. His body was taken to Midh Ranjha for burial.