TOBA TEK SINGH / OKARA / SARGODHA: The Crime Control Department claimed to have killed two suspected robbers and arrested two injured outlaws while a personnel suffered injuries during an exchange of fire in four incidents in Gojra, Faisalabad, Vehari and Sargodha areas.

In Gojra, a suspected robber from Lahore was killed in an exchange of fire with the Saddar police near the Sem Nullah Bridge outside Chak 278-RB on Tuesday.

Police said three suspects riding a motorcycle opened fire when intercepted by a patrol team.

Police returned fire, injuring one of the suspects, while the other two fled the scene. The injured suspect, identified as Ghulam Rasool, succumbed to his wounds on way to Gojra THQ Hospital.

Two arrested in injured condition

Police claimed he was hit by bullets fired by his own accomplices. Rasool was reportedly wanted in dozens of robbery cases across multiple districts.

In Faisalabad, the CCD claimed killing another suspected robber during an encounter near Pul Awan Wala in the Saddar police area.

According to a press release, four suspects opened fire on a CCD team during a chase. In the gunfight, one suspect was injured and later died at Allied Hospital. He was identified as Faisal Shah of Hafizabad, wanted in 38 cases, including bank and petrol pump robberies. The remaining three suspects fled.

In Okara, the CCD arrested two injured suspects after a gunfight on Monday night near Nawan Chak Kharl Singh.

CCD District Officer Mahr Muhammad Yousaf stated that a team attempted to stop four suspects who opened fire. Police retaliated, injuring Mohsin of village 12/1-AL and Irfan of 15/1-AL, while their accomplices Ilyas and Sakhawat escaped under the cover of darkness.

Police also impounded a stolen mini-truck loaded with a buffalo, two weapons, and live bullets.

The buffalo had reportedly been stolen earlier that night from Islampura village and the suspects were intercepted while the CCD team was on way to another village in response to the theft. The injured men, said to be involved in 48 heinous crime cases, were shifted to THQ Hospital, Dipalpur.

Raids are under way to nab the other two suspects.

In Sargodha, CCD official Omar Hayat Jappa was injured during an encounter with drug traffickers in the Kot Momin area. Suspects opened fire on police, forcing officials to take cover. Jappa was critically wounded and referred to a Sargodha hospital for treatment.

A few months ago, a similar raid on a drug den in the Laksian area of Tehsil Kot Momin resulted in the death of

a constable and injuries to an Elite Force personnel. Subsequently, police killed the alleged drug dealer in an encounter and demolished his house.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025