SHEIKHUPURA, Jan 12: A proclaimed offender was shot dead in an ‘encounter’ near Laker Mandi on Shahkot-Faisalabad Road late Friday night.

Shahkot police and elite force on a tip-off jointly raided the hideout of a criminals’ gang in Laker Mandi, some 60 km from here. Taking in the situation quickly, the outlaws opened fire on police which was returned. The brief shootout left PO Manzoor alias Kaku of Shahkot dead while his two accomplices managed to escape. Police also recovered weapons in large quantity from their hideout. He was wanted by police in 16 heinous crimes.

Further investigation is under way.

It is worth-mentioning that this was the third encounter in the district during a week.