FAISALABAD, Jan 5: Cotton bales and cloth worth millions of rupees were gutted when fire broke out in a textile unit here on Saturday.

The fire reportedly erupted in the godown of the Samad textile mills in industrial area due to short-circuiting in the morning. Within 10 minutes, it engulfed the entire godown and other sections of the factory.

Fire brigade controlled the blaze in two hours.

HELD: Police reportedly arrested three bandits after an encounter in Razaabad on Saturday.

Three armed bandits forced their entry into the house of Asmatullah in Razaabad and started looting valuables at gunpoint.

Muhammad Kamran, son of the houseowner, informed the Rescue-15 and a police team rushed to the spot within minutes. The bandits were asked by the police to surrender but they opened fire which was returned. After an hour-long crossfire, the accused surrendered. They were identified as Ghulam Mohyuddin, Ashraf and Badar. — Staff Correspondent