FAISALABAD, April 30: Police claimed on Sunday to have killed two hardened criminals in as many encounters at Gatwala and Dijkot. They were involved in kidnap for ransom, dacoity and murder cases.

Reports said a Saddar police team intercepted a suspected vehicle near Gatwala on Sheikhupura Road but the motorists opened fire and managed to escape.

A message was communicated to other police squads and a People’s Colony team, headed by its SHO Rana Atif Mehmood, intercepted the vehicle in front of the Government Commerce College, Jaranwala Road.

The outlaws took shelter in the college’s building and opened fire on the police party. During a cross-fire, police killed Imran Asghar, arrested his brother Irfan Asghar and an accomplice, Samar Abbas.

Imran was son of former Jaranwala tehsil council chairman Rana Muhammad Asghar and reportedly involved in the kidnapping of one Zaid Saleem.

In the second case, police claimed that bandits were looting the people at Chak No. 83-GB, Dijkot when a police team encircled them. During an exchange of fire, Usman alias Fani was killed while his accomplices managed to escape.

Additional IG Talaat Mehmood Tariq and DPO Muhammad Amin Wains announced cash rewards and commendation certificates for the police officials.