SIALKOT, Jan 1: A top 10 absconder, carrying a Rs0.5 million head money, was killed in an encounter with Motra police along the bank of M.R Link Canal near Jaamkey Cheema village in Daska tehsil.

Sialkot DPO Muhammad Ameen claimed this at a press conference here on Thursday. Daska ASP Azmatullah Junejo and district peace committee member Zafar Malik were also present.

The DPO said Motra SHO Tahir Majeed Khan was on a patrol duty when the police signaled four suspected motorcyclists to stop, but they opened fire on police instead. In a retaliatory firing by the police, one of the accused was killed instantly while his three accomplices managed to escape.

Capt Ameen said the deceased accused was later identified as Shoaib alias Shoaibi, who was a sign of terror in the district.

The DPO said the accused was wanted by police in 14 cases of murder and dozens of other cases of dacoity-cum-murder, kidnap for ransom and extorting protection money. He said the accused was a close accomplice of another top 10 absconder Yasir alias Yasiru, also bearing head money of Rs1 million.

The DPO said deceased dacoit Shoaibi and his accomplices had killed four constables near Jalalpur Jattan a few years ago besides killing three other persons, including a eunuch, during a mela in Thakra Mahey village in Daska.—Correspondent