SIALKOT, April 11 The district police and other law-enforcement agencies claimed to have arrested 16 Afghan nationals in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Pasrur and surrounding areas during a crackdown in the last few days.

Sialkot DPO Muhammad Ameen told journalists that these Afghan nationals had been illegally residing in various parts of Sialkot district for long. He said the police were further interrogating the arrested people.

KILLED A robber was shot dead and another injured in an encounter with police in the city on Saturday.

Reports said two robbers snatched thousands of rupees in cash and a mobile phone set from Muhammad Aslam at city's congested Lunda Phatak locality. Led by information, the police chased the robbers and had an encounter with them as a result of which one of the absconders was shot dead. His accomplice suffered injuries in firing by the police.

HAJJ FLIGHTS The direct international Hajj flights will take off from the Sialkot International Airport this year, according to SIAL vice-chairman Malik Muhammad Ashraf.

Speaking to newsmen on Saturday, he said the federal government would issue the NOC for operating the direct international Hajj flights from the Sialkot airport during the running month. He said the British Airways and the DHL would also start their cargo and passenger flights from the Sialkot airport by the end of this month.