GUJRANWALA, April 13: The police claim to have shot dead a proclaimed offender and his accomplice in an encounter at Gakkhar Town early on Wednesday. The police said PO Zubair was the elder brother of Ahmad Saeed, another notorious criminal who was killed in a shootout one year ago.

City Police Officer Ghulam Mahmood Dogar told newsmen that Zubair, along with his accomplice Bhinder, went to a private hospital on Pirkot Mor Road and demanded Rs2 million protection money from its owner, Dr Muhammad Ashraf.

Dr Ashraf, he said, informed the police and a patrol team reached the hospital and asked the gangsters to surrender but they opened fire and an encounter ensued. He said the half-an-hour long shootout left both the gangsters dead and the police found sophisticated weapons beside the bodies.

The CPO said Zubair had been demanding protection money from Dr Ashraf for the last many days and just the other day he fired rounds and lobbed a hand grenade at the hospital to create panic.

He said Dr Ashraf and the families of his two younger brothers, Muhammad Amjad and Pervaiz Ahmad, resided in the hospital building and remained safe.

Information gleaned by this correspondent revealed that Zubair’s entire family had criminal background. One of his brothers, Babar Saeed died in jail where he was serving sentence two years ago.

Another brother, Ahmadi Nut was killed along with an accomplice in an encounter with the police at the same town. Ahmadi was involved in killing several people including Nat Kalan union council Nazim Mehr Atta Khaliq on informing the police about his demand for protection money.

Their father, Amanullah also was wanted by the police.

Meanwhile, the family of Zubair protested against the police for killing him. His mother said the police arrested Zubair in Chak 92, Bahawalnagar, where he was residing with his friend, Nisar Ahmad, at Gilwala and shot him at the police station.

A police team foiled their bid to block GT Road to traffic after placing the bodies. The bodies were removed to Wazirabad’s Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for autopsy.

The CPO assured the business community and other citizens that they would protect their lives and property. He announced cash prize and commendation certificates for the raiding team.

DEMO: Sanitary workers and other employees of the Water and Sanitation Agency on Wednesday demonstrated in protest against non-payment of their salaries.

Reports said Wasa employees gathered at Liaquat Park on Sialkot Road and marched towards the DCO Office. A delegation met DCO Nabeel Ahmad Awan and demanded that their salaries be paid immediately.

They threatened that they would take out a rally on April 16 if their salaries were not paid by then. — Correspondent