BAHAWALPUR: Police claimed on Monday to have arrested six suspects in injured condition, while two others were killed in firing allegedly by their own accomplices during a series of ‘encounters’ in Vehari, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sahiwal districts.

In Vehari, Sheikh Fazil police claimed to have arrested a criminal involved in 27 cases after an ‘encounter’ on Monday.

According to a police spokesperson, a patrol team deployed at blockade point 124/EB attempted to stop a suspected motorcyclist. Upon seeing the police, the suspect allegedly opened fire on the personnel.

The police team, led by Sub-Inspector Javed Akhtar, retaliated and chased the suspect. While attempting to flee towards Chak 407/EB, the suspect reportedly lost control of the motorcycle, crashed into a roadside tree and sustained injuries.

The suspect was overpowered by the police team and shifted to hospital by Station House Officer Rao Yasir.

He was identified as Muhammad Sultan, a resident of Arifwala. Police claimed that scrutiny of his record revealed his involvement in 27 cases of theft, burglary and dacoity.

Police also recovered a snatched motorcycle linked to FIR No. 199/26 and an illegal pistol from his possession. Further investigation was underway.

GUJRAT: Police claimed that two suspects were killed by firing allegedly carried out by their own accomplices in separate incidents in different parts of Gujranwala.

A spokesperson said Garjakh police had arrested an alleged drug peddler and addict, Kashif alias Munna, in connection with the stabbing murder of a citizen.

The police claimed that while taking the suspect to recover the knife used in the murder, his accomplices opened fire on the police party in an attempt to secure his release. During the exchange of fire, Kashif was allegedly shot dead, while the attackers managed to escape.

In another incident within the jurisdiction of Kamoke City police, a suspected drug peddler along with three accomplices allegedly opened fire on a police picket.

After the firing stopped, police found a body at the scene, later identified as Ashiq, who was wanted in various drug peddling cases. His accomplices escaped. Police registered separate cases and started investigations.

Gujrat police claimed to have arrested three suspects in injured condition after they allegedly escaped police custody on Monday.

A police spokesperson said the suspects were injured by firing from their own accomplices during encounters with police.

The spokesperson said police had arrested three suspects wanted in robbery and theft cases from Karariwala, Kakrali and Dinga areas. However, during custody, their accomplices allegedly opened fire on police in an attempt to free them, as a result the suspects fled.

Police later launched a search operation and found the fleeing suspects identified as Shahbaz, Zubair and Husnain in injured condition.

They were shifted to hospital for treatment.

SAHIWAL: Saddar Chichawatni and Ghala Mandi police arrested two injured drug traffickers in separate encounters on Sunday night, while three accomplices managed to escape.

Police claimed to have recovered four kilograms of hashish from the suspects.

In the first incident, police intercepted Muhammad Asif and his two accomplices while they were allegedly transporting hashish through the Chichawatni jungle.

Police said the suspects opened fire and the police retaliated. Asif, a resident of village 110/7-R, was injured and arrested, while his accomplices escaped into the jungle.

Police recovered a 30-bore pistol, cash and 3,600 grams of hashish from the scene. The injured suspect was shifted to THQ Hospital Chichawatni by Rescue 1122.

A case was registered under sections 324, 353 and 186 of the PPC, section 13-A(2) of the Arms Ordinance, and section 9 of the Anti-Narcotics Control Act on the complaint of Saddar SHO Amjad Hussain.

In the second incident, Ghala Mandi police received information about two suspected dacoits moving near village 87/9-L.

A police van intercepted them, after which the suspects allegedly opened fire. Police retaliated, injuring and arresting one suspect, identified as Zawar Hussain, while his unidentified accomplice escaped under the cover of darkness.

A case was registered on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Annas.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026