Dera police arrest alleged inter-provincial robbers after encounter

Dera Ismail Khan: Police in the City Circle arrested an alleged inter-provincial robber and his accomplice in an injured condition following an exchange of fire during a police operation.

According to police, DSP City Syed Sagheer Gillani received information that an alleged inter-provincial robber was travelling with an accomplice from Peshawar to Punjab via Dera Ismail Khan. Acting on the tip-off, the DSP, along with a police contingent, set up a checkpoint at Sheikh Yousaf Chowk.

Police said that when officers signalled a suspicious vehicle to stop, one of the occupants allegedly opened fire on DSP Gillani with a pistol instead of complying. Police returned fire, injuring both suspects. Their vehicle reportedly went out of control, veered off the road and crashed into a nearby wall.

After the exchange of fire ended, police searched the vehicle and identified the injured suspects as Safdar Ali and his accomplice, Ahsan, son of Sajjad, a resident of Faisalabad.

According to the police spokesperson, the two suspects were wanted by police in Punjab and Dera Ismail Khan in connection with 51 serious criminal cases, including murder, robbery, theft and illegal arms trafficking. Police further stated that the suspects were also wanted in robbery and theft cases registered at City, Town and Paharpur police stations in Dera Ismail Khan.

The injured suspects were taken to hospital for medical treatment after the completion of legal formalities, while further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, District Police Officer (DPO) Dera Ismail Khan commended the police team for the successful operation, stating that indiscriminate action against criminal elements would continue and that every possible measure would be taken to maintain peace and security in the district.