Three alleged dacoits killed in two police encounters in Rahim Yar Khan

Three suspected dacoits were killed in two separate alleged police encounters in Rahim Yar Khan within the jurisdictions of Airport Police

LAHORE/RAHIM YAR KHAN: Three suspected dacoits were killed in two separate alleged police encounters in Rahim Yar Khan within the jurisdictions of Airport Police Station and City C Division, police officials said.

According to police, the first encounter took place near Airport Bridge in Chak 112 during a routine blockade and patrolling operation. Officials said a police team signalled two motorcycle riders to stop near Airport Pull, but the suspects allegedly opened fire at the police instead.

Police said an exchange of fire subsequently took place, during which both suspects sustained bullet wounds and were killed at the scene. Some of their alleged accomplices reportedly managed to flee from the area under the cover of darkness.

A senior police official from Airport Police Station told Minute Mirror that police recovered motorcycles and illegal weapons from the scene following the encounter.

The official said the recovered motorcycles would be checked against records of previously reported motorcycle-snatching and other criminal cases, while the weapons would be sent for forensic examination as part of the investigation.

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in nearby fields and settlements to locate the suspects who allegedly escaped.

According to police sources, teams from the Elite Force and Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) were also called in to assist with the search and combing operation.

Second encounter near Nore Wali

In a separate incident during the same period, City C Division police reportedly encountered another group of suspects near Nore Wali.

A district police spokesperson said an exchange of fire took place between the police team and the suspects, resulting in the death of one alleged dacoit.

With the reported death of the third suspect, police said the number of suspected dacoits killed in the two encounters in Rahim Yar Khan over the previous 12 hours had reached three.

The identities of the deceased were being established through biometric verification and checks against available criminal records, police said.

DPO praises police teams

District Police Officer (DPO) Rahim Yar Khan Irfan Ali Samo praised the police teams involved in the operations and directed officers to continue efforts to trace the suspects who allegedly escaped.

According to the district police spokesperson, the DPO also ordered intensified patrolling along Airport Road, Nore Wali and connecting roads to prevent further criminal activity and improve security in the area.

Police officials claimed that the suspects killed in the encounters were allegedly involved in several cases of robbery, motorcycle snatching and looting of grocery stores in Rahim Yar Khan.

Officials said incidents involving motorcycle-riding armed suspects targeting grocery stores had been reported in different parts of the district in recent months.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 personnel shifted the bodies to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, where post-mortem examinations and other medico-legal formalities were to be carried out.

Police said separate cases relating to the encounters, including alleged attempted murder, violations of anti-terrorism provisions and the Arms Ordinance, had been registered.

Further investigation into the encounters, the identities and criminal records of the deceased, the recovered weapons and motorcycles, and the whereabouts of the alleged accomplices was underway, police said.