BAHAWALPUR: Khairpur police claimed on Thursday to have arrested 13 suspected assailants out of 50 who allegedly injured four policemen on Wednesday night at Goth Shah Muhammad picket, about 30 kms from here.

Police said a team deployed at Goth Shah Muhammad picket signalled some motorcyclists to stop for checking.

The bikers hurled abuses at the police and moved away. After a short while, suspects Muhammad Iqbal, Sardar Muhammad, Riaz and others along with a group of gangsters turned up at the picket and allegedly assaulted ASI Muhammad Tufail, police post in-charge Asim Mustafa and two other cops.

The injured ASI was shifted to the rural health centre and was later rushed to Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) due to his critical condition. The alleged attackers managed their escape.

A police spokesman said Khairpur police after registration of a first information report against 50 suspects [30 nominated and 20 unidentified], arrested 13 out of the 30 nominated.

Meanwhile, Cantonment police on Thursday arrested a BVH’s sweeper who allegedly attempted to sexually assault a lady sweeper under the influence at night.

TRANSFERRED: The Punjab government has transferred Assistant Commissioner (City) Umar Adnan Khattak on complaints of alleged rude behaviour and directed him to report to S& GAD in Lahore.

Reports said the trading bodies have complained against the outgoing AC for allegedly beating some of the vendors during inspection of SOPs in bazaars. Muhammad Uzman Chaudhry has been posted AC city.

OBITUARY: Bahawalpur Arts Council Director Rana Aijaz Mehmood (56) on Wednesday night died of heart attack at BVH.

He is survived by a wife and a minor daughter. His body was taken for burial at Layyah. Local journalists have extended condolences.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2020