SWABI: A deputy superintendent of police was martyred and two policemen suffered injuries during an encounter with outlaws in Razaar tehsil of Swabi district on Wednesday.

A proclaimed offender was also killed in the exchange of fire.

An official told Dawn that DSP Allama Iqbal learned about the presence of two outlaws, including proclaimed offender Naseer Khan, in a house of Khaat Killi area and led a police party to raid the premises.

He said after entering the house, the DSP asked the wanted man to surrender but the latter shot the former down and attacked other policemen, who retaliated leaving Naseer dead.

The official said policemen Tayyab Khan and Faisal Khan, who suffered critical injuries, were shifted to the Kalu Khan civil hospital, whose doctors referred them to a hospital in Mardan.

Sources claimed that the outlaw was accompanied by his son-in-law, who managed to flee injured.

DSP Allama Iqbal was survived by a widow, three sons and two daughters.

District police officer Imran Shahid said outlaw Naseer was wanted for terrorism and other crimes.

A few years ago, a court sentenced him to death in a murder case but he settled the matter with the aggrieved family through a jirga and secured his release. He was later involved in several criminal cases, including extortion’s.

The encounter occurred three days after police constable Taimur Khan was attacked by gunmen near the Yar Hussain police station. The police held 35 suspects.

Soon after the incident, provincial police chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi and Mardan police DIG Sher Akbar Khan visited the district and met DPO Imran.

The DPO briefed the two about the situation.

The police chief praised the valour of the deceased and ordered the tightening of the noose around outlaws.

The DSP’s funeral prayer was held in the Shahmansoor police lines, where police chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi, DIG Sher Akbar Khan, DPOs, leaders of political parties and people from all different walks of life showed up.

Our correspondent from Charsadda adds: DSP Allama Iqbal was later laid to rest in his native area, Merozai, in Shabqadar town.

DPO Mohammad Shoaib, DSPs, SHOs and attended the ceremony. A smart contingent of police presented a salute to the grave.

Born on Sept 1979 in Merozai area, Allama Iqbal joined the police department as a constable in 2000.

He was posted as an ASI to Charsadda in 2006 after passing the competitive exam.

Allama Iqbal performed duty in Tranab, Mandani and Umarzai police stations and headed the Charsadda and Umarzai police stations as SHO. Later, he was promoted as the DSP.

Meanwhile, the relatives of outlaw Naseer placed the body on Swabi-Mardan Road claiming the deceased was not a proclaimed offender.

They said Naseer was freed by a court three years ago and no FIR or case was registered against him.

The police baton-charged the mob and dispersed it leading to the reopening of the road to traffic.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2020