Kidnap, drug suspects killed in Faisalabad police encounters

FAISALABAD: A suspected kidnapper and a suspected drug trafficker were killed, while three other suspects were injured and arrested in separate police encounters in Faisalabad on Friday, according to officials. In a separate development, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sohail Akhtar Sukhaira dismissed six police personnel during departmental proceedings and imposed penalties on seven others, while granting relief to 31 officials.

Kidnapping suspect killed, child recovered

Officials said personnel of the Ghulam Muhammad Abad police station tracked the alleged abductors of five-year-old Fajr with the help of CCTV footage and conducted a raid at a hideout near Sidhu Pura Bridge. During the raid, the suspect allegedly fired at police, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

In that encounter, Bilal, identified by police as a resident of Goshala Mor and a suspected kidnapper, was allegedly shot dead by his own accomplices. The kidnapped girl was recovered and reunited with her family, officials said.

Drug case and other encounters

In another incident, Jaranwala city police pursued a suspicious car after its occupants allegedly opened fire on them near Chak 240-GB. Police said a subsequent exchange of fire followed, during which suspected drug trafficker Zubair was reportedly struck by bullets fired by his accomplices and died.

After the shooting, police recovered 99.2 kilogrammes of charas, ice drug and weapons from the abandoned vehicle.

Meanwhile, Razabad police arrested two injured suspects, Abrar Masih and Afzal Saleem, after an exchange of fire near the Chautar Majra graveyard. Police said both men were wounded by shots fired by their accomplices, and that drugs and weapons were seized from them.

In another encounter near Chak 138-GB, Tarkhani police arrested Abbas after he was allegedly injured by gunfire from his fleeing accomplice, Hamza, who remained at large. Police said cases had been registered over attempted murder, illegal weapons possession, narcotics offences and obstructing official duties. Investigations were under way.

Six police officials dismissed

Separately, RPO Sohail Akhtar Sukhaira dismissed six police officials on charges including corruption, misuse of authority, negligence and poor performance. The action was taken during orderly room proceedings at the Police Lines Complex, where more than 100 officials appeared in departmental appeal matters.

The dismissed officials were former Satiana SHO Asif Ali, Iqbal Town Reader Ali Asghar, Sub-Inspector Waqas Sarwar, Head Constable Aamir Shahzad, Constable Farooq Nawaz and Chiniot Constable Manzar Hussain.

Ghulam Muhammad Abad SHO Yousaf Shehzad was reduced in rank to sub-inspector over poor performance. Sub-Inspectors Muhammad Saleem and Arsalan Rashid were each given a two-year forfeiture of service, while Tafseer Abbas was awarded a one-year stoppage of promotion over what was described as a faulty investigation. Inspector Iftikhar Ahmad was demoted in pay for exceeding his authority, while three other officials also received departmental punishments.

The RPO approved the appeals of 31 officials and granted them general amnesty. He also directed police personnel to deal with the public respectfully and give priority to the protection of citizens' lives and property.