SAHIWAL, Jan 14: Two men involved in a kidnap-cum-murder case were killed on Saturday morning when some of their accomplices in a bid to get them released exchanged fire with a police party near Chak 98/12-L. The Chichawatni city police, headed by SI Muhammad Asghar, took kidnappers — Iftikhar Ahmed Dogar and M. Ashfaq — to Dogar’s ice factory to recover arms which they had allegedly used for killing abducted youth Muhammad Nadeem.

After the recovery of arms, the police party was on its way back when their five accomplices, including PO Mumtaz Jharoka, intercepted the police vehicle near Chak 98/12-L and opened fire. In police retaliation, Iftikhar Dogar and Ashfaq were killed during their escape attempt from the custody.

Reports said on Dec 27, Iftikhar Dogar, Ashfaq and Mukhtar had kidnapped Muhammad Nadeem along with his oil tanker (SLF-9578) from Chak 93/12-L. The kidnappers had reportedly demanded Rs1.5 million as ransom from his father Abdullah for his release. On non-payment, the accused sodomized Nadeem, shot him dead and threw his body into a well. Police had arrested Iftikhar Dogar and Ashfaq while Mukhtar, Mumtaz Jharoka and their accomplices were still at large.

RAIDS: Sahiwal police have conducted raids to arrest 10 prayer leaders for allegedly delivering anti-government speeches.