SAHIWAL: Kasowal police gunned down two suspected dacoits in an alleged encounter, while their four accomplices managed to escape on Monday afternoon.

Police claimed that Mazhar and Amjad Ali were wanted by district police in several criminal cases in Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Okara. They claimed that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Amin was taking Mazhar and Ali to prison from the district court after the court granted their remand. When they reached near village 15/12-L, the police van was attacked by four unidentified men.

Police further claimed that the attackers snatched weapons from the mobile team, had the arrested suspects released and made off towards Block No 11 jungle where they hid themselves.

ASI Amin informed the Chichawatni circle police, and three police vans reached the scene and surrounded the jungle.

The suspects fired at police that was retaliated. After the crossfire ended, two suspects were found dead while the remaining managed to escape.

The killed suspects were identified as Mazhar and Ali. Interestingly, Kasowal police diary stated that the suspected dacoits had snatched rifle and pistol from the mobile team.

Police claimed both were nominated in a first information report under sections 397 and 392 of the PPC. Dawn learnt from sources that some suspicions had been raised in the regional police office over this encounter. Police high-ups were investigating the matter internally.

patwaris penalised: Six patwaris in Pakpattan tehsil on Tuesday were penalised for forging land transfer record and other irregularities.

Pakpattan Assistant Commissioner Ashfaqur Rehman said the action was taken after various complaints. He said after a thorough probe, one of them, Muhmmad Ashraf, was handed down the punishment of compulsory retirement.

The AC said service of Liaquat Ali, Khadim Husain, Nazir Ahmed, Amjad Husain and Salahuddin was forfeited.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2017