KHANEWAL, May 8: A constable was killed while another seriously injured in a two-hour encounter near Sindhianwala village on Qatalpur Road on Wednesday night in Saraisadhu police precincts, about 50km away from here.

Police received information that nine dacoits were looting tractor-trolleys laden with wheat on Qatalpur Road. A police party, led by SI Zawar Husain, rushed to the spot. On seeing the police, the dacoits opened fire, injuring constables Akhtar Abbas and Fakhar Abbas critically.

Akhtar Abbas died on way to Multan Nishtar Hospital. The criminals managed their escape.

Later, Akhtar’s funeral was held at Khanewal police lines, which was attended by citizens and officials, including Multan regional police officer.

Speasking on the occasion, the regional police officer announced a compensation of Rs0.5 million for the deceased’s family and job to Akhtar’s son in police department.

Meanwhile, about 10 hours prior to this encounter, the police had arrested a criminal -- Khan Muhammad alias Khani Malkana -- during a three-hour shootout with six dangerous criminals in Haveli Koranga police precincts, about 40km away from here.

On a tip-off, Haveli Koranga SHO Rehmat Ali Chattha raided Khan Muhammad’s house at village 9-D. On seeing the police, Khan, his two brothers Ahmad Khan and Ajmal Khan and three accomplices, including Muhammad Ramzan, opened fire. During the shootout, Khan Muhammad received bullets in his legs and the police managed to arrest him. Others managed their escape.

“Khani Malkana committed six murders and several robberies in Khanewal and other districts of the province,” SHO Rehmat Chattha told Dawn on phone.

He said Khani was also the main accused in six blacksmiths robbery cases at Chparhatta area of Kabirwala tehsil.

“We have also recovered a kalashnikov with bullets from Khani’s possession and admitted him to hospital,” the SHO said.