GUJRANWALA, Oct 24: Anti-terrorism court No 1 on Monday discharged three more accused in Mandi Bahauddin case in which eight Ahmadis were killed, while five others were granted physical remand till Oct 29.

Police had earlier declared the three accused innocent during an investigation, taking the total number of absolved in the case to 18.

Reports said the police informed the court that the accused, Khuda Dad, Sajid Jamil and Muhammad Anser, were interrogated in connection with the killings but were found innocent.

Judge Mujahid Mustaqim granted five-day physical remand of Asif Lahori, Shehnawaz, Ghulam Hussain, Muhammad Aslam and Mian Asif in the same case. suspended: Nine traffic police officials, including two sub-inspectors, were suspended from service on the charge of extorting Eidi from vehicle owners here on Monday.

SP (Traffic) Asgher Saeed Paul also issued show-cause notices to the suspended policemen.

DIG (Traffic) Chaudhry Altaf Qamar received scores of complaints from the citizens that the policemen deployed in Gujranwala were extorting Eidi from transporters and motorcyclists.

He directed the SP (traffic) to monitor the activities of these officials and take stern action against them in case of their involvement in corruption.

At this, the SP himself checked these officials in a private car at Chand Da Qila by-pass intersection, Ferozewala Road, Farid Town, Chicherwali, Upper Chenab Canal bridge and found them taking bribe from vehicle owners.

He suspended sergeants Muhammad Sajjad, Muhammad Malik, ASIs Muhammad Zulfikar, Mirza Ali Akber, head constables Muhammad Riaz, Rana Muhammad Islam, Muhammad Azam and constable Altaf Husain from service with immediate effect and served on them show-cause notices.

The SP warned that corrupt and inefficient police officials would not be tolerated as they were tarnishing the image of the department.