BAHAWALPUR: Nowshehra Jadeed police in Bahawalpur district on Monday claimed to have arrested a suspected dacoit in injured condition after an “encounter” near Mauza Abdullahpur.

According to a police spokesperson, three suspects riding a motorcycle opened fire on a patrolling police party on the CPEC Road at Abdullahpur.

The police team returned the fire and chased the fleeing suspects, who got panicked and rammed their bike into a roadside tree.

As a result, one of them fell on the ground and suffered injuries, while the two others fled the scene, the spokesperson claimed. He said the injured suspect, later identified asBelal, was overpowered by the police team.

The police say that Belal is wanted in 38 criminal cases and that illicit arms were also recovered from his possession. He was later admitted to hospital.

The police are looking for the fleeing suspects after registering cases against them and Belal.

‘RAPIST’ HELD: Qureshiwala police in Lodhran district claimed to have arrested a man who had allegedly abducted a married woman at gunpoint from house at Mauza Khanowali adn raped her, last week.

According to Lodhran police spokesperson, the armed suspect, H, along with his two unidentified accomplices, barged into the house of a married woman, N, bundled her into a car and drove her to an unknown place, where he allegedly raped her.

As per the police, the abductors kept the woman in illegal confinement for three days. However, she, somehow, managed to escape and reached home.

The victim’s brother, Sanwal, filed a complaint with the Qureshiwala police, which registered FIR No 337/26 under sections 376-A and 496-A of the PPC against the prime suspect and his accomplices.

The police sent the woman to hospital for her medical examination and launched a search for the suspects. The police later claimed that the prime suspect, H, has been arrested during a raid.

PROBE ORDERED: Lodhran DPO retired Capt Ali Bin Tariq ordered a probe against two police officials, after closing them to the Police Lines, for their alleged negligence and abuse of powers.

According to Lodhran police, the DPO closed Kahrorepucca police Inspector Arshad and ASI Sajid to the Police Lines and ordered an inquiry against them.

He said SP investigation Badar Munir has been appointed inquiry officer.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026