DERA GHAZI KHAN, July 8: Four bandits were killed while the Dera DPO sustained gunshot injuries in an encounter on Thursday in the limits of Kot Cchutta police station, some 23kms from here.

Armed bandits entered NBP's Notak Mehmeed branch at 1.30pm on the Indus Highway and held the officials hostage. The intruders collected Rs1.5 million in cash and managed to flee from the scene.

On a tip-off that the bandits had taken refuge at the outhouse of Azeem Lashari, notorious for harbouring criminals, near Basti Jam, the police besieged the entire area. DPO Capt Usman Khatak (retired) hastened to the spot to lead the operation with the support of a heavy police contingent.

Locating the outlaws in a room, the DPO tried to negotiate with them, but they did not lay down their arms. At this, the police attempted to break open the door of the room, but the culprits opened fire from a window, injuring the DPO. He was rushed to the Dera DHQ Hospital by District Nazim Jamal Khan Leghari.

After injury to the DPO, the police force shot dead all the four outlaws after an exchange of heavy crossfire. Meanwhile, the DPO in hospital told Dawn that the bullets hit his shoulders and after necessary surgery he was now out of danger.

The DPO maintained that during negotiations the outlaws had requested some time for offering prayers. In fact, they were only using delaying tactics. However, they informed the police about the place where they had dumped the looted money which was later recovered.

Kot Cchutta police have registered a case. Bodies of the outlaws were shifted to hospital for autopsy. However, the identity of the outlaws could be established so far.