HANGU, April 4: Two policemen and an outlaw were killed and two others injured in a gunbattle that lasted for more than two hours here on Thursday.

Hangu Superintendent of Police Mohammad Idrees told a news conference that the encounter occurred when police raided the den of a known outlaw who had let loose a reign of terror in Tall area.

He said the outlaw, assisted by anti-social elements from the nearby tribal area, fired at the raiding police party, killing two constables, including the driver of a mobile police vehicle. Notorious outlaw Amin Gul also lost his life in the encounter, he added.

A passerby was among the injured in the crossfire.

He said the den of drugs was being run by a gang of anti-social elements which had long been involved in kidnappings, robberies and drug pushing. The gang, he further said, had also been threatening government officials.

The SP said he decided to take action against the gang following growing public complaints and raided the den with the assistance of the SHO, Doaba.

The gang members, he went on to say, managed to flee from the area to a nearby tribal area. He, however, vowed to bring them to justice and continue the drive against the anti-social elements.

Three kilograms of hashish, several bottles of tincture and a Kalashnikov was recovered from the den, he said.

The Hangu superintendent of police said that the deceased police constables would be laid to rest with full police honours.