SWABI: A police constable was martyred and a proclaimed offender was killed during an encounter in Chota Lahor tehsil on Thursday night, district police officer Mohammad Shoaib Khan told mediapersons on Friday.

He said the incident occurred during a search and strike operation against outlaws in Jalsai village.

When contacted, DSP Chota Lahor Iftikhar Ali Khan said the operation was conducted on information about the presence of a proclaimed offender, Hamid Khan, in his house.

He said the police laid a siege to the house and asked the PO to surrender, but he opened fire on the police, which was retaliated. During the exchange of fire, a constable identified as Sajidur Rehman was seriously injured. He was taken to Bacha Khan Hospital Complex, Shahmansoor, where he succumbed to his injuries.

DSP Iftikhar Ali said the police killed the outlaw when he tried to flee under cover of firing. He said the PO was wanted to Chota Lahor police in various cases.

Funeral prayers of the martyred policeman were held at Shahmansoor Police Lines attended by regional police officer Yasin Farooq, the DPO and other police officials.

Later, he was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Asota village of Razaar tehsil with official honour.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2022