GUJRANWALA, May 5: Two proclaimed offenders were killed in an ‘encounter’ while police arrested three of their accomplices in People’s Colony here on Monday.

DIG Zulfikar Ali Cheema told reporters that 10 outlaws, riding on a wagon and a car, were roaming about in Scheme No 2 with a plan to kidnap an industrialist for ransom.

He said a CIA team, led by SP Ali Mohsin Kazmi and DSP Tahir Hussain Gujjar, raided there and ordered the outlaws to surrender, but they opened fire on them. The law enforcers also returned the fire.

Later, three accused laid down their arms when two of their accomplices, identified as Zakaullah and Arshad alias Bodi son of Shah Muhammad, were killed in firing by their own accomplices.

While rest of them managed to escape on their vehicles. The three surrendered accused were identified as Ashiq Masih, Waris and Tahir.

The DIG said that a huge quantity of weapons was also recovered from them.

He claimed that the accused were involved in kidnapping for ransom and other heinous crimes in Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Sheikhupura and other districts.

Mr Cheema said the outlaws had kidnapped industrialist Zahid and recovered Rs5.5 million ransom for his release. They also kidnapped another industrialist and a jeweler of Alipur Chattha and released them after receiving Rs2.5 million each ransom from them.

The DIG said they had also kidnapped a trader of Shahdara (Lahore) and steel mills owner’s son and released them after getting Rs1.5 million and Rs250 million ransom, respectively.

He announced cash prizes and commendation certificates for the raiding party.

SHOT DEAD: A man was shot dead while three others were injured on Monday in a clash between two rival groups over a children dispute in Gulabpura, Cantonment. Reports said that Talib Hussain and Rifaqat of the same village were at daggers drawn.

On Monday, Talib and his companions went to the house of Rifaqat and opened fire on him and his supporters after exchanging harsh words. Already on the alert, they also returned the fire that resulted in the death of Talib while Inayat, Rashid and Rifaqat sustained bullet wounds. They were rushed to the local DHQ Hospital in critical condition.

Cantonment police have registered a case against both groups and are investigating.

SCHEDULE: The Gepco announced the load management schedule to improve the power supply to industrial and agricultural sectors.

Speaking at a meeting at the Gepco headquarters here on Monday, chief executive officer Rana Muhammad Ashraf Zahid said that single shift industries would be provided eight-hour continuous power supply in two parts with one-hour break.

While three-shift industries will be given six-hour continuous power supply with two-hour break. Similarly, he said the agricultural sector would be provided seven to eight hours of continuous power supply for watering the crops conveniently.

He said the load management schedule had been sent to all sub-divisions.