SHEIKHUPURA, Nov 7: A 'shootout' between six proclaimed offenders and a large number of residents of Mohallah Gharibabad created panic in the locality here on Sunday evening.

The POs came to shopkeeper Shafiq and demanded money. As he raised an alarm, scores of residents rushed to the shop.

The bandits, on seeing the people, resorted to aerial firing and managed their escape.

Later, a heavy police contingent, led by the Saddar ASP, reached the spot. The residents informed the police that the same accused some time back had murdered councillor Bashir alias Bhutto on his refusal to pay the ransom.

Three of them have been identified as Iqbal alias Bala Faqir, Imtiaz alias Naji and Kaka Awan.

Haji Liaquat, a shopkeeper of the locality present on the occasion, said three days ago the POs had abducted his son and later released him after receiving Rs50,000 as ransom.

A case had been filed with the Sheikhupura Saddar police but to no avail.

The police officials assured the residents that the culprits would be arrested at the earliest with the help of the people.