BAHAWALPUR: A murder suspect and burglar allegedly involved in as many as 34 cases was killed in an “encounter” near village 7/BC in the limits of Baghdadul Jadid police station here on Monday.

According to Police PRO Rao Kashif, a Baghdadul Jadid team had taken Shakil Ahmed into custody to recover weapons he had used in a robbery case.

On their way back, the police team was ambushed by four of Shakil’s accomplices, who opened fire in an attempt to free him.

The police retaliated, and during the exchange of gunfire, Shakil was killed, reportedly by shots fired by his own accomplices.

The suspects fled the scene under the cover of darkness. The police have registered a case against the fleeing suspects and launched a search operation in the area. Shakil’s body was shifted to hospital for further procedures.

DEPORTEES HELD: The Federal Investigation Agency claimed to have arrested nine deportees upon their arrival at Multan Airport from abroad.

According to sources, the deportees, including Moaz, Saad, Altaf, Kashif, Shahid, and Zahid, had been residing illegally in the UAE and were deported from there.

The UAE authorities had arrested and sentenced them, and after serving their sentences, they were deported to Pakistan. The FIA will now interrogate them at its headquarters in Multan.

Meanwhile, an FIA team also claimed to have arrested Shanila Bibi, a nurse at Nishtar Hospital, Multan, in connection with an alleged visa fraud case.

According to FIA sources, the nurse was waiting for her conveyance at the hospital’s main gate after her shift when an FIA team conducted a raid, took her into custody, and shifted her to the FIA headquarters in Multan.

The FIA alleged that she had extorted money from Dr. Muhammad Bilal on the pretext of arranging a visa to Australia.

Further investigations are underway.

ACCIDENT: A pedestrian, Muhammad Abid (50), was killed by a speeding coaster near Khanqah Sharif on Ahmedpur East-Bahawalpur highway on Monday.

Police reached the scene and registered a case against the unidentified driver.

In two separate road accidents caused by poor visibility due to misty conditions on Monday morning, six people were injured – three in each incident.

The first accident occurred at Muradwali Chaki in Uch Sharif, where a truck collided with a tractor-trolley.

The second took place at Azam Chowk near the city, where a wedding party coaster overturned.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2024