KASUR: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and an alleged robber who was also a proclaimed offender were killed in a three-hour long encounter at village Fatehmal in the area of Kanganpur Police Station.

The brother of the accused was also injured in the incident.

According to police, a team, headed by ASI Muhammad Akram, raided the house of proclaimed offender and alleged robber Muhammad Latif at night at village Fatehmal, about three kilometers from the Kanganpur Police Station.

On seeing the police, Latif opened indiscriminate fire at raiding policemen. As a result, ASI Akram suffered serious injuries. He was being shifted to hospital when he succumbed to his injuries.

Latif, along with his brother Shafique, fled the scene but the police continued chasing him. The accused entered a house, went upstairs and again started firing at the police.

Meanwhile, a heavy contingency of police reached the spot and besieged the house. After an exchange of fire that lasted for about three hours, the main accused, Latif, was killed while his brother, Shafique, was injured. The injured was shifted to the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital.

The police said Akram was wanted by Kasur Police in eight cases of robberies and was declared a proclaimed offender.

The funeral prayers for ASI Akram were offered at Police Lines and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar and District Police Officer Tariq Aziz also attended the prayers.

Talking to the media, the IGP said the critics of the police force must see how our personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty.

He said protecting the life and properties of the people was the top priority of Punjab police.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2024