LAHORE, Jan 29: Two alleged criminals were killed in an encounter with police in the Shafiqabad area early on Tuesday.

Police claimed the criminals, who were proclaimed offenders and involved in a number of incidents of murder, dacoity and kidnap-for-ransom, kidnapped a trader from Defence last year and released him after getting Rs30 million ransom.

The Shafiqabad police said it had a tip off that proclaimed offenders Abu Bakar and Jawad were going to Gujranwala by a car via Bund Road. The police set up a picket on the road. As the accused reached the picket near New Chaudhry Park, the police asked them to stop, but they opened fire on them. The police retaliated and killed both after an exchange of fire for 30 minutes.

The police found a rifle and a 9mm pistol with them.—Staff Reporter