OKARA, Jan 20: A wanted criminal was killed after about one-hour encounter with the police near Qadirabad late on Thursday night. This was claimed by DPO Malik Tahir Mahmood in a press release issued here on Friday. It said that the three men, riding on a motorcycle without number plate, had opened fire when a police patrol party intercepted them.

The policemen also returned the fire and the shootout continued for some one hour. In the meantime, the police also called out reinforcement. The crossfire eventually left a criminal dead, who was later identified as Sajid Ali alias Sajjo Kharl of New Hujra Shah Muqeem.

However, his two accomplices, one of them identified as Abrar alias Bari, managed to escape in the darkness.

Police also recovered a 244-bore rifle lying beside the dead criminal. The motorcycle was also taken into custody by the police.

The release further claimed that the deceased criminal was wanted to police of various districts in 42 cases, including dacoity, rape, murder and highwaymen robbery.

It said the DPO also recommended commendation certificates for the police party of Hujra Shah Muqeem.

CANCELLED: District Coordination Officer Ghulam Nabi Crori has cancelled the transfer/posting orders of dozens of schoolteachers due to ban on them.