July 18, 2008	Friday	Rajab 14, 1429

GUJRANWALA, July 17: Two alleged robbers-cum-kidnappers were shot dead in an encounter with police on Jinnah Road on Thursday.

Reports said four robbers were looting cash and valuables from passersby on Jinnah Road, when a police team reached on information. An armed clash took place between the police and the gangsters two of who were shot dead. Two accomplices, however, made good their escape.

The police claimed recovering arms and a motorcycle from Ahmad Hassan and Shah Nawaz. They said the gang had kidnapped a minor boy for Rs4 million ransom and killed him on his family’s failure to pay the amount.

Meanwhile, the heirs of the boy gathered outside the office of the regional police officer after hearing the news about the encounter-killings, demanding that the bodies should not be allowed to be buried in local graveyards and instead be burnt on the road.

Trader recovered: Model Town police claimed on Thursday to have recovered a chemicals trader, who was kidnapped about two days ago when he was on his way to home from his workplace, and arrested two of his kidnappers.

A police team recovered Ashfaq Ahmad, who had been kidnapped for ransom, during a raid on his kidnappers’ hideout. Police claimed that all of Ahmad’s kidnappers had been identified.

BAR PROTEST: Lawyers of the District Bar Association on Thursday boycotted court proceedings and took out a rally demanding restoration of the deposed judges.

The lawyers held a meeting at the bar room, chaired by DBA President Malik Shaukat Ali Awan, and adopted a resolution in favour of the deposed judges.