CHINIOT, Feb 16: Two criminals were killed in an encounter, while the police are conducting raids to arrest their third accomplice who managed to escape on a boat in the River Chenab.

Bhowana police received an information early on Saturday that three criminals, wanted by the police of Faisalabad, Sargodha, Chiniot and Hafizabad, had arrived at the farmhouse of Asif Ali, on the bank of the Chenab near Sambhal village.

The police surrounded the farmhouse and an exchange of fire ensued, killing Zaheer alias Phoonay Shah, a resident of Chak 126-JB; and Iftikhar alias Baghoo Jutt of Chak 24-JB, Sahianwala, Faisalabad. A third man, Riaz alias Basra of Chak 132-JB, was injured and managed to escape.

The police of Chenab Nagar and Langrana were combing the katcha areas on the right bank of the river, while Bhowana and Sadar police were checking the left bank.

District Police Officer Rai Zameerul Haq claimed Zaheer was wanted in 17 cases of heinous crimes, Baghoo in 20 and Riaz in 23 cases of robbery and other crimes in Jhang, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Hafizabad and Chiniot districts.

Adjoining areas of both sides of Chenab in Chiniot and Hafizabad districts had become a haven for criminals due to difficult accessibility, absence of roads network and deserted farmhouses used as hideouts.

The district police had established a network of informers in these areas due to which their movement had been restricted. — Correspondent