DERA GHAZI KHAN, Oct 7: Robbers killed two police officers in an encounter near Jhoke Ruhal in Sadar police limits of Taunsa Sharif, some 70 kilometres from here, before fleeing to the tribal areas on Monday.

Police started chasing the robbers after they snatched a motorcycle from a passerby in Dari Dholey Wali village. Robbers opened fire on them and an encounter started near Jhoke Ruhal village.

Police officers, Irshad Jamoani and Mujtaba Gurmani, died during the exchange of fire while the robbers, allegedly led by Ishaz Chhutani, managed to escape.

A similar incident had occurred on Aug 8, a day before Eidul Fitr, when the highwaymen had killed two constables in an encounter. However, they were provided a safe exit by the police under political pressure.

After the increasing robbery incidents in the area, the residents have been staging frequent protests against the inefficiency of teh police by blocking the Indus Highway.

BANK ROBBERY: Around six robbers looted a branch of a private bank in the city and managed to escape with a bag of money in the precincts of B-Division police of Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday.

The robbers thrashed two bank guards — Ramzan and Allah Nawaz — when they tried to put up resistance.

Neither did the bank administration nor the police give details of the robbery despite queries.