HYDERABAD, July 12: An outlaw was killed in an encounter with personnel of the Crime Investigation Cell and the Anti-Dacoity and Robbery Cell in the jurisdiction of the Cantonment police station here on Saturday morning.

The man killed, Faisal Afridi, was wanted in many criminal cases. One pistol and three bullets were recovered from his possession.

There was a contradiction in statements of a police spokesman and CIC in charge Sikandar Bhatti, who led the team that challenged the outlaws.

Mr Bhatti, who lodged a case at the Cantonment police station, said the CIC received information that some criminals were present near the Quaid-i-Azam Medical Center in the Cantonment area. He said the ADRC team also joined CIC personnel on their way to the area.

He said the police party was fired upon by the outlaws when it reached the area. He said the police returned the fire, killing Afridi. Two accomplices of the outlaw escaped.

However, police spokesman said after receiving information that some criminals were coming to Hyderabad for committing an offence, CIC and ADRC personnel started searching vehicles at the Qasim Chowk. Later, they were informed that a suspicious car was parked near the the Quaid-i-Azam Complex. When the personnel reached the complex, the outlaws opened fire on them and in the exchange of fire, Afridi was killed. Two criminals managed to flee, leaving behind their car which was seized by the police, the spokesman added.

The spokesman said Afridi was involved in two murder cases registered at the A-section police station.

The medico-legal officer who conducted the autopsy said Afridi had received three bullets on his abdomen, chest and thigh. The body of Afridi was handed over to his brother, Mohammad Zaman.