JHANG, June 26: Two proclaimed offenders were killed while as many were arrested after a two-hour encounter with Qadirpur police near Doaka Balouchan village, some 40kms from here on Saturday.

Qadirpur SHO Talat Hundal received a tip-off that PO Qaisar Baloch, wanted by Qadirpur and Massan police in over 20 cases of heinous crime, was present at his house along with his accomplices. The SHO together with a police party raided the place, but the outlaws opened fire on them and tried to escape. The police also returned the fire and started chasing the fleeing criminals.

In the meantime, the SHO radioed a message to the District Headquarters for reinforcement. At this, Sadar DSP Chaudhry Ashiq Basra rushed to the spot along with contingents of the reserve police and Elite Force. By that time, the outlaws, who were six in number, were besieged by the police at Shujaabad village. Afterwards, the shootout continued for two-and-a-half-hours after which the two outlaws - Sufi Ahmad Khan and Ejaz Baloch surrendered to the police. While their two accomplices Abbas Baloch and Nasir Baloch escaped from the scene. Later, the police found dead two outlaws who were identified as POs Qaisar Baloch and Asmatullah Baloch.

The police also recovered, one motorcycle, a light machine gun, a 303 rifle, an 8mm rifle, a 12 bore gun and 395 cartridges from the possession of the arrested outlaws.

REPLACED: Maj Wasif Ali Shah (retired) replaced Syed Shabbar Raza Shah as the new District Public Safety Commission chairman after he was elected unanimously by DPSC members.