LAHORE, Sept 17: Five outlaws were killed in two encounters with police here on Monday In a `crossfire’ near Saggian Bridge in Shahdara on Monday night, two alleged robbers, who were in police custody, were killed while their accomplice who came to `rescue’ them was also killed.

Police said the robbers in custody were involved in bank robberies in Lahore and Gujrat.

DIG (Investigation) Chaudhry Shafique Ahmad told Dawn that a Nawankot CIA police team was brining arrested suspects Dilbar Khan and Hameed Khan back from Gujrat (where they were taken to in connection with a bank robbery case) when their accomplices armed with weapons and riding two vehicles intercepted the police vehicle and tried to rescue them.

He said police resisted the suspects who opened fire on police who then returned the fire.

The DIG said the suspects in custody and an attacker were killed in the crossfire while other attackers managed to flee from the spot. Police recovered a sophisticated weapon from the spot.

Police shifted the bodies for autopsies.

In another case, two alleged robbers were killed in a ‘shootout’ with the Organised Crime (CIA) police in Iqbal Town The police claimed the deceased were wanted in more than 150 cases of robbery, street crime and murders.

Police inquiries showed that Sub-Inspector Maqsood Hayat and ASI Nabeel Shahzad of Iqbal Town CIA police along with subordinates were present near a milk shop on a tip-off that Muhammad Fareed wanted by Akbari Gate police in a murder case would pass through the spot.

Policemen signalled a motorcycle (LEZ-789) coming from Scheme Mor at 5:45am, but two suspects riding the bike opened fire on police.

The suspects fled towards Doongi Ground of Huma Block. Policemen chased the suspects and traded gunfire.

Police claimed the suspects were killed during crossfire and two weapons were recovered from their possession. They claimed several bullets fired by the suspects hit police vehicle, but officials escaped unhurt.

Police said the suspects had snatched a bike from Gulshan-i-Ravi area a couple of days ago.

Police identified the suspects as Imran Masih and Muhammad Arshad after documents were recovered from their wallets.

They were also involved in killing police constable Ali Hassan after a thoroughfare robbery in Ichhra police limits and two citizens in PST Colony in Lytton Road police limits.

Police shifted the bodies for autopsies and registered a case under sections 186, 353 and 324 of the PPC and 13/20/65 of the Arms Ordinance.

Police said the deceased were history-sheeters as cases were registered against them in different city police stations.