PESHAWAR: In three separate encounters, Mardan police eliminated three notorious hired assassins in Rustam and Par Hoti areas of the district, while three others managed to escape.

A search operation was currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

According to police on Thursday, the slain criminals were wanted in multiple cases, including murder and firing on police personnel. During the encounters, police recovered Kalashnikov rifles and pistols from the slain suspects.

In a separate incident, unknown assailants opened fire on a police vehicle, however, all police personnel remained unharmed.

Following these incidents, police authorities have announced that the crackdown against criminal elements will be further intensified to ensure peace and security in the district.

Meanwhile, at least two people were shot dead following a verbal clash between two parties in Rustam area of Mardan on Thursday. According to police, the firing incident occurred in Katta Khat area of Rustam, where two youths sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

Upon receiving the information, rescue medical teams and ambulances rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies to a Type-D Hospital. The deceased were identified as 25-year-old Uzair Ahmed, a resident of Katta Khat, and 26-year-old Azmat Hussain, a resident of Cheena.

Police said the incident stemmed from a long-standing enmity that escalated after a verbal altercation. The accused fled the scene after committing the crime.

Police have registered a case and launched a search operation to arrest the suspects involved in the double murder.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026