MUZAFFARGARH, Sept 5: Four alleged criminals were killed in an encounter with police at Jakhar Imam Pattan in the Bait Meer Hazaar area on Monday. DPO Kamaluddin Tipu told newsmen that the 36-hour long operation began on Sunday after four armed men kidnapped one Rana Tariq from Rohillanwali and disappeared into the fields when the police started chasing them. A constable, Bashir, was also injured in the operation.

On Monday morning, the police recovered the kidnapped man in injured condition.

Police parties from Rohillanwali, Shah Jamal and Meer Hazar continued chasing the criminals at the Muzaffargarh-Dera Ghazi Khan border. The accused, after having been encircled, opened fire on the police which was retaliated. In the crossfire, all criminals sustained serious injuries and jumped into the Indus and drowned.

Bodies of the two outlaws identified as Saqlain and Rafiq have been recovered, while efforts are being made to recover the other two.—APP