NAROWAL, Nov 26: Police killed two accused in an ‘encounter’ who had managed their escape from the Narowal City police lock-up on Wednesday morning.

Narowal City SHO Nasir Pannu said police had arrested four alleged criminals -- Zahid alias Nunna, Aslam alias Fauji, Sajid and Yasir. They were in police custody on a seven-day physical remand.

On Wednesday morning, he said, they broke the wall of the lockup with an iron rod and were fleeing when duty officials caught hold of Sajid and Yasir. The remaining two managed their escape with the help of an accomplice who was riding a motorcycle.

The SHO said the police chased them. The accused ambushed in Gunj Husainabad graveyard while their accomplice escaped towards Manak Road on his bike.

He said the accused opened fire with the weapons which they had taken from their accomplice. During a crossfire, Zahid alias Nunna of Miran Shah Husain locality, and Aslam alias Fauji of Ahlo Laal received bullet injuries and died on the spot.

District Police Officer Tariq Rustam said the deceased criminals were involved in dozens of incidents of theft and dacoity, and had been convicted earlier.

On the other hand, heirs to the deceased termed the encounter fake and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The family members also tried to block traffic on Circular Road, Narowal, but the police foiled their bid.—Correspondent