SIALKOT, May 2: The Saddar police claimed on Friday to have shot dead three proclaimed offenders in an ‘encounter’ at Dargaanwali village.

District Police Officer Muhammad Ameen told journalists that a Saddar police team was taking three POs, who had been recently arrested, for the recovery of weapons at Oora Chowk village when three armed men chasing the vehicle got released the gangsters -- Rustam, Sher Ali and Asad -- from the police custody.

The police called in the additional force and at some distance had an exchange of fire with the absconders. The DPO said the three dacoits were shot down after some time while their accomplices made good their escape.

The DPO said the three POs had killed ASI Basharat Ali, a member of a raiding team, during a dacoity in Pasrur one month ago.

Several police stations were in search of the three culprits who had their names in cases of robberies and murder.

The Saddar police have registered a case.