CHAKWAL: Two proclaimed offenders (POs) were killed during a shootout with the personnel of the newly-established Crime Control Department (CCD) of the police inside a hospital in Kallar Kahar.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the CCD officials got a tip off that some criminals, wanted by the Sargodha Police, were coming to Kallar Kahar in two different vehicles. The CCD officials spotted the vehicles and signalled them to stop at a check-post. However, the criminals managed to flee after breaking the barricade.

The CCD team, which had specially arrived at Kallar Kahar from Sargodha, chased the criminals. As the CCD personnel closed in, the criminals entered Fauji Foundation Hospital and started firing at the CCD personnel after taking positions. The sources said the CCD personnel also retaliated and killed two persons on the spot.

The dead were identified as Muhammad Irfan, a resident of Shairay Wala Kahar, and Muhammad Awais, a resident of Abbaspur of Sargodha’s Bhera Tehsil. During the shootout, seven accused managed to flee from the scene, the sources said.

Soon after the encounter, the hospital was sealed and it was opened for the public after a thorough search operation. A police official told Dawn that the deceased Muhammad Irfan and his brothers had murdered their cousin a few years ago and were involved in feud with another group of criminals.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025