FAISALABAD, May 18: Police on Thursday killed another ‘hardened criminal’ in a shootout. The Samundri city police arrested Rafiq Akhtar involved in a kidnap-for-ransom case and recovered a minor boy from his custody on May 9. The accused was sent to the district jail on judicial remand. On Thursday, he was taken to the district courts where his accomplices got him released and escaped.

The information was passed to all patrol squads, and the Khurrianwala and Nishatabad police teams intercepted the fleeing accused and his accomplices near the Wapda city. An exchange of fire took place which continued for about one hour. In the crossfire, Rafiq sustained bullet injuries and died on the spot while his accomplices escaped.