TAXILA: A patrolling officer of the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) was shot and injured in the service area of Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) near Hazro on Friday.

NHMP spokesperson Saqib Waheed told Dawn that the officer identified as Altaf was present at the non-functional area when he spotted three suspects. When Altaf tried to intercept them, they opened fire at him. The suspects were able to escape but they left behind two mobile phones, two 9mm pistol magazines and 12 live bullets.

Later, the patrolling officer was shifted to the nearest health facility and a case registered against the suspects in Hazro police station.

Meanwhile, Hazro police arrested 11 gamblers and recovered bet money and gambling tools from them.

Police said acting on a tip-off, a police party carried out a raid near a bus stand and arrested 11 people while they were gambling. Gambling tools and bet money amounting to Rs82,000 was confiscated during the raid.

Moreover, New Airport police arrested a proclaimed offender identified as Mohammad Fayyaz, resident of Taxila, wanted in a case of attempted murder. A weapon, utilised in the crime, was also recovered from his possession.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2022