DERA GHAZI KHAN:
In a series of confrontations lasting 24 hours in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, three police encounters unfolded, resulting in the martyrdom of a police officer, injuries to six police personnel and the death of three dacoits.
DPOs Khawar Dastgir and Ahmed Mehdi, overseeing the operations, providing details to The Express Tribune said the initial clash occurred in the Indus Highways area, where a police encounter took place, leading to the martyrdom of a police officer in gunfire by dacoits associated with the Ladi gang.
In the ensuing encounter, one dacoit was killed, and two police officers and a suspect sustained injuries.
Dera Ghazi Khan Division Commissioner Dr Nasir Mahmood Bashir visited Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, where injured police personnel were receiving medical attention.
Expressing his condolences, he informed The Express Tribune that in the Shadan Lund area of Dera Ghazi Khan, unidentified suspects opened fire, resulting in the death of Sub-Inspector Rizwan Mahboob. In addition to ASI Iqbal, Head Constable Tahir Saeed and Constable Mazhar, all three sustained severe injuries.
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Upon receiving information about the incident, DPO Ahmed Mehdi, along with other police officers and rescue personnel, reached the scene. The injured officials were transported to the hospital for medical treatment. However, as the area was cordoned off for a search operation to apprehend the attackers, the dacoits resumed firing after a brief lull.
During the hours-long confrontation between the police and dacoits, one dacoit was killed, identified as Abdullah Jiyani.
DPO Ahmed Mehdi emphasized the high morale of the police force, assuring that the slain dacoit, Abdullah Jiyani, was involved in multiple cases of terrorism, robberies and other criminal activities.
Meanwhile, IGP Dr Osman Anwar paid tribute to Sub-Inspector Rizwan Mahboob, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty.
The IGP vowed to ensure the best possible care for the injured ASI Iqbal, Head Constable Tahir Saeed, and Constable Mazhar Khan.
Dr Anwar stated that Sub-Inspector Mahboob had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and the Punjab Police would never forget the monumental sacrifice of its brave son.
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He acknowledged that Punjab Police was a force of over 1600 courageous martyrs, including Sub-Inspector Rizwan Mahboob.
In a related incident, near Paktigiani, a search operation led to the arrest of a suspect named Yaqoob, nominated in the murder case. Head Constable Saifullah and other officials were heading to apprehend another suspect, Yaqoob, when unidentified criminals on motorcycles opened fire on the police van. As a result, two police constables Abdul Hameed and Tawqeer Ahmed sustained injuries. The unidentified attackers managed to escape.
In yet another encounter, this time in Rajanpur Katcha area, a fierce gun battle ensued between the police and dacoits. The exchange of fire resulted in the death of two highly-wanted dacoits, while several police officers sustained injuries.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2023.
