FAISALABAD, June 27: Two hardened criminals were killed while their two accomplices managed to escape during a `shootout’ in Dijkot here on Monday night. Reports said four masked men snatched a car (FSD-444) from one Farzand Ali near Dijkot and managed to escape from the scene. Police after the receipt of information encircled the area and chased the vehicle near Chak No 85-GB. The alleged gangsters fearing their arrest opened fire on the police party. During an hour-long crossfire, two bandits were killed while their as many accomplices fled from the scene.

District Police Officer Muhammad Amin Wains told the press that the dead bandits were wanted in a number of cases of murder, attempt murder and dacoity.

He said one of the gangsters was involved in the killing of a police constable a month ago in Dijkot.

The DPO announced cash award and commendation certificates for the police party.