By Dr. Mirza M.B. Qamar
GUJRANWALA—A total of 35 police encounters were reported in different parts of Gujranwala during the month of July, in which 14 alleged dangerous suspects were killed and 25 others were arrested in injured condition, according to police.
Police said that in one incident in the Alipur Chatha area, a seminary student accused of inappropriate conduct with children was injured when his pistol accidentally discharged during his arrest. He was subsequently taken into custody in an injured condition.
In another encounter, an alleged inter-district robber wanted in more than 20 cases of robbery, dacoity, and theft in Gujranwala was killed after, according to police, being shot by his own accomplices during an exchange of fire. Police said the suspect was also wanted in dozens of similar cases in Sialkot. A motorcycle and an illegal weapon were recovered from his possession, while two alleged accomplices managed to escape.
In the jurisdiction of Wahando Police Station, an alleged drug trafficker wanted in more than a dozen cases, including murder, robbery, and narcotics offences, was also killed after police said he was shot by his own accomplices during an encounter. A motorcycle and an illegal weapon were recovered, while two alleged accomplices escaped.
Separate police encounters were also reported in the jurisdictions of Gurjakh, Satellite Town, and Ferozwala police stations, where three suspects were arrested in injured condition, police said.
Commenting on the operations, City Police Officer (CPO) Dr. Sardar Ghias Gul Khan said that eliminating criminal elements and drug traffickers is essential for establishing a peaceful and secure society. He added that police teams are actively conducting operations to arrest absconding suspects.
