BAHAWALPUR/SAHIWAL: A suspect was killed and four were shot in separate encounters with police in Vehari, Bahawalpur and Sahiwal districts on Tuesday.

In tehsil Burewala of district Vehari, a man suspected of kidnapping and selling a three-year-old girl was killed in an alleged encounter with Model Town police.

According to police, three-year oldZoha was abducted from Burewala before Eidul Fitr by a six-member gang that took her to Multan in a car. The gang sold the child to a woman there. Burewala police registered a case, traced the kidnappers with the help of technology and recovered the girl from Multan. They also arrested the woman, Saima Bibi, and recovered the car in which the girl was abducted.

According to police PRO, the prime suspect, Naveed, a resident of Karachi, along with his accomplices, was present in his hideout near Burewala railway crossing when personnel of Model Town and Saddar Burewala police stations conducted a joint raid.

Three suspects, including Naveed, opened fire on the police team, which retaliated. When the firing stopped, Naveed was found dead. Police alleged that he was killed by the firing of his two accomplices who fled away.

A 30-bore pistol was recovered from Naveed, who, police alleged, was involved in several rape, murder, abduction and attempted murder cases in Karachi, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan.

SDPO Burewala Muhammad Imran Tipu shifted his body to THQ hospital for a post-mortem and safe custody until its collection by the deceased. Model Town police registered a case against Naveed’s fleeing accomplices.

In Bahawalpur, a criminal wanted in 15 cases was arrested in an injured condition after an encounter in the limits of Nowshera Jadeed Police Station.

Police conducted a raid to arrest Waseem when three suspects allegedly opened fire. During the exchange of firing, the suspect suffered injuries allegedly with the firing of his own two accomplices.

When the firing stopped Waseem was found injured. He was shifted to hospital and a case against his two fleeing accomplices was registered.In Sahiwal, three suspects were arrested in an injured condition by the Crime Control Department (CCD) and district police in separate encounters.

In the first incident, a suspect was shot in an alleged encounter with the CCD on the National Highway.

CCD Inspector Asif received a call that three outlaws were robbing citizens on the National Highway. Police rushed to the scene and the suspects opened fire on them. A crossfire lasted about 15 minutes and later the police found an injured suspect, identified as Arshad Baloch.

A 30-bore pistol was recovered from him while his two accomplices fled under cover of darkness.

The CCD registered a case.

In another incident, City Police, Sahiwal, arrested two suspects in an injured condition after an encounter near the LBDC Canal, Jhal Road. The suspects were identified as Kashif Manzoor and Hamza Joiya, while their third companion escaped. Police recovered Rs23,400 in cash, a pistol, and a stolen motorcycle from the scene.

A case was registered with the City Police Station.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026