TAXILA, Dec 1: A suspect, killed during a shootout with a police patrolling party late Sunday night, was a proclaimed offender (PO) and was wanted in many robbery and theft cases. Speaking at a press conference here, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Taxila/Wah Cantonment Circle Syed Nisar Kazmi said the outlaw was killed in an encounter with the police near Bun Bhola village on Taxila-Thatta Khalil link road. He was identified as Zareef, alias Afghani, a native of Mardan.

He was involved in many robbery and theft cases. Mr Kazmi said the police had launched a search operation for the other two outlaws who managed to escape from the scene of the shootout, taking advantage of the darkness.

Responding to a question, he said the suspects were traveling on a car without a number plate and when they were signaled to stop on suspicion they fled away.

On seeing the police chasing them, they opened fire on the police who retaliated. As a result, the outlaw was killed.

— Correspondent