February 07, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 28, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 6: An alleged proclaimed offender (PO) was killed in a reported police encounter in the Gulshan-i-Ravi area early on Wednesday, police claimed.

Aqeel, alias Nikka, was wanted for killing six people in Sanda and Akbri Gate areas besides extortion, robbery, dacoity and attempted murder.

A Rs500,000 head money was also announced for Aqeel.

According to a handout, Kot Lakhpat Central Investigation Agency officials were on way to Bund Road in Gulshan-i-Ravi, when they saw two suspicious motorcyclists. They singled them to stop, but they opened fire on them. Police retaliated and killed one of the motorcyclists, while the other fled.

Police found a pistol, 20 bullets and a motorcycle at the crime scene.

Later, Sanda residents identified the killed man as Aqeel.

The body was shifted to morgue for autopsy.

Police claimed Aqeel, of Bazaar Hakeeman, had murdered three people in the Sanda area in 2000 and two others in 2005 again in the same area. He also had killed a man in Akbri Gate in 2007.

He was declared a proclaimed offender in 2000.

Capital City Police Officer Malik Iqbal has announced cash and certificates for the policemen involved in the encounter.