SHEIKHUPURA, May 24: The Saddar police claimed to have arrested six proclaimed offenders after an encounter near Ghazi Mudwala here on Wednesday.

DPO Muhammad Aslam Tareen told journalists that the police also seized illicit weapons from their possession in large number.

He said that a special raiding team, headed by DSP (Investigation) Shahzada Tariq, was constituted to nab the POs. Sadar SHO Chaudhry Hassan Farooq Ghumman, inspector Zahid Zaman, sub-inspectors Manzoor Ahmed, Shafqat Dogar and ASIs Saiful Akbar, Rana Ibrar Hussain and Raja Aftab also assisted him.

The DPO said the police team raided various spots and later succeeded in arresting the outlaws after a shootout. Those arrested were identified as Matloob alias Sahibi, Amjad alias Haji, Usman alias Usmani, Faiz Ahmed, Hakim Ali and Maqbool.

Police also recovered illicit weapons, including two hand-grenades, as many rifles of 8mm, a Kalashnikov and a 9mm pistol. In addition, two cars, as many motorcycles and other valuables were also recovered from them.

Mr Tareen said that these criminals were involved in murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, kidnap for ransom and other heinous crimes. They were wanted in over 50 cases by police in Sheikhupura, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and other districts of the Punjab.