‘Attacker’ killed in encounter

Published May 25, 2007

LAHORE, May 24: An alleged outlaw was killed in an encounter with police while two of his accomplices were arrested here on Thursday night.

City Raiwind SPO Tahir Mehmood told Dawn that accused Ejaz alias Jajji, a proclaimed offender, along with his 11 accomplices came to Manak village allegedly to kill his rival Karamat Sandhu of Sandhu group.

Armed with sophisticated weapons, the attackers opened fire on their rivals, injuring Asif Iqbal and Khawar, he said.

On being informed of the attack, Jiya Bagga police picket in charge rushed to the village along with available officials. Later, they were reinforced by the Riaiwind police.

As the police arrived, the attackers tried to escape towards Bhai Kot, Sundar Industrial Estate. The police chased and encircled them in the jurisdiction of Manga Mandi police limits.

Crossfire ensued between outlaws and the police lasting for at least three hours. As a result, Ejaz, 30, was killed, while Qaiser and Asif alias Rangeela were nabbed by the police.

Nine of the attackers managed their escape.

The SPO said the attackers belonging to Rajput group had an old enmity with Sandhus over land and other issues. The row has so far claimed several lives from both sides.

Killed: Four people, including two minor boys, were killed in as many road accidents in the city on Thursday.

An eight-year-old boy was killed while his mother sustained injuries when a speeding truck hit them at Yateem Khana Chowk.

The Nawankot police said Ashraf, his wife Azhara and child Usman (8) of Bilal Gunj were about to get on an Okara-bound bus when a truck hit them. As a result, Usman died on the spot while Azhara received serious injuries.

The Green Town police said Muneeb, 7, along with his father was going on foot when a motorcyclist (LOU-5175) knocked down and injured him seriously at Bhola Chowk. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was the resident of C-Block.

According to the Ravi Road police, Khalid Mehmood and his wife Nusrat of Badami Bagh were on their way by a motorcycle (LZC-5996) when a tractor-trolley (SAA-2963) struck them on the Main Ravi Road. Nusrat, 40, sustained critical injuries and died at hospital.

The Factory Area police said Muhammad Boota, 40, was crossing the Walton Road when a truck ran him over. He died on the spot.

Robbery: Two robbers deprived a citizen of hundreds of thousands of rupees in Gulshan-i-Iqbal here on Thursday.

Khadim Hussain told police that he was returning after withdrawing Rs170,000 cash from the Allied Bank’s Awan Town branch when two armed motorcyclists stopped him, snatched the cash and managed their escape.