BAHAWALPUR: Sammsatta police on Monday booked over 200 suspects, including 25 women, for allegedly attacking two assistant commissioners (ACs) and policemen, opening fire on them, injuring 12 of them, during an operation to retrieve Auqaf department land in Aghapur village from illegal occupants on Sunday.

According to the FIR registered on the complaint of Inspector Muhammad Asdullah, the 200 suspects, 20 of them nominated, attacked the a police team lead by ACs of Bahawalpur cityand Saddar tehsils.

The ACs and the police team had gone to the village to retrieve 15 acres of Auqaf department land grabbed by illegal occupants.

The attackers also freed two suspects arretsd by the police, the FIR said.

They also opened fire on the police, besides damaging their official vehicles, the FIR added.

As per the FIR, at least 12 police officials, including Sammsatta SHO Asdullah Khan, sub inspectors (SIs) Ghulam Rasool and Mansoor-ul-Hassan, ASIs Muhammad Nawaz, Parvez,Rana Munir, Qadir Baksh, Khuda Baksh, constables Mudassar Akhlaq, Mudassar Iqbal, Muhammad Abid and driver Muhammad Naeem, were injured in the attack.

A police spokesperson says so far none of the suspects could be arrested.

He says that the nominated suspects include Imran, Ghulam Mustafa, Khadim Hussain and Muhammad Munir.

The police have registered a case (FIR No.866/24) against the suspects under sections 7 of the Anit Terrorism Act (ATC), besides sections 395, 440, 324, 427, 224, 225,186, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

SUSPECT KILLED: Vehari police claimed on Monday that a wanted suspect was killedduring an encounter in thelimits of Luddan police station.

According to a spokesperson, a police party attempted to intercept three suspects near Dinwah but they fled the scene. On being chased, the suspects opened fire that was returned by the policemen.

He said that during the crossfire, one of the suspects, later identified as Mursleen alias Mohsin, was killed.

He added that Mursleen had on Oct 2 allegedly killed a man during a dacoity bid in the limits of Mailsi police station. He was later arrested, but manged to escape from police custody.

As per police, the suspect was wanted in many criminals cases. His body was shifted to the Vehari DHQ Hospital for the postmortem examination.

The police have registered a case against the two feeling accomplices of Mursleen.

PHA EVENT: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) and Special Education Department, Bahawalpur, jointly organised a function in connection with the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Faeed Park, Satellite Town.

On the occasion, artworks and handicraft prepared by differently-able students were displayed at differnt stalls. These students also staged performances which were appreciated by the audience.

PHA Director General Ms Rubina Iqbal Abbasi briefed the chief guests MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar and Deputy Commissioner Dr Farhan Farooque about the event.

A stall for the health screening of these students was also set up.

The day-long celebrations were rounded off with the distribution of special prizes and gifts among the participants.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024