Two detained suspects killed in encounter

Lahore: Two men in custody were killed during what police described as an encounter in the Chung area, after they were taken for the recovery of illegal weapons and other evidence in Sundar.

According to police, the deceased were identified as Alam Sher and Hashim. They were being transported by the Crime Control Department (CCD) when, officials said, armed accomplices tried to free them by attacking the police party.

Police said the incident took place while the suspects were being moved through the Chung-Sundar corridor. "As the team reached a sensitive point in the Chung-Sundar corridor, unidentified armed men attacked the police vehicle," a senior police official said.

"During the exchange of fire, the two under-custody suspects were critically injured and later succumbed to their injuries." he added.

Police maintained that CCD personnel returned fire after the alleged ambush. Officials said the attackers escaped from the scene amid the firing.

Inquiry launched

Police have started an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with the standard procedure followed in cases involving deaths in custody.

No immediate arrests were reported after the encounter. Police said search operations had been launched in nearby areas to trace those who allegedly carried out the attack.

The incident occurred when the two suspects were being taken for the recovery of illicit weapons and other evidence in the Sundar area, according to police. The deaths are being examined through an official inquiry as authorities review the circumstances in which the two detainees were fatally wounded.

Police have so far said that the men were injured during the exchange of fire that followed the alleged attack on the police vehicle. Officials also said the assailants managed to flee under cover of gunfire, prompting follow-up search operations in surrounding localities.

The case is now subject to an inquiry, which police said is the standard course of action in incidents involving custodial deaths.