SHEIKHUPURA, Feb 1: A constable was reportedly killed in an encounter in Thattha Pakian village in the jurisdiction of Bara Ghar police station, some 80 kilometres from here, on Tuesday night.

According to Bara Ghar police, 20 proclaimed offenders had taken shelter in the village. On receiving information about the outlaws at 2:30pm, contingents from Syedwala, Bara Ghar, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib police stations and Elite Force were sent there.

The contingent of Syedwala police reached the site first. The outlaws who were reportedly hiding in the fields opened fire on the contingent as soon as they saw them. A bullet hit Constable Arif Husain who died on the spot. Later, the contingents from other police station joined Syedwala squad and the encounter was going on till the filing of this report.

TRAFFIC BLOCKADE: Traffic on Bucheki-Morr Khunda road, about 60 kilometres from here, remained suspended for about three hours as transporters held demonstration against toll tax staff on Tuesday.

Transporters alleged that the staff of toll collection contractor were indulging in overcharging. They manhandled transporters who refused to pay extra money to them. They said a wagon driver was tortured for refusing to pay more than the prescribed fee.

The driver parked his wagon in the middle of the road at around 3pm. Later, drivers of trucks, buses, tractor-trolleys and wagons joined the protest and blocked the road by parking their vehicles on the road. Police high ups reached the site and restored traffic at around 6pm.