SIALKOT, Feb 21: Three proclaimed offenders were killed and a police constable sustained injuries here on Monday in an 'encounter' near Monger Head Marala on the bank of Upper Chenab Canal, Sialkot tehsil.

Reports said three POs were escaping after taking away motorcycles near Muradpur Pulli when a police party started chasing them, On seeing the police, the outlaws opened fire.

After an exchange of fire, the three POs were killed while constable Arif Mehmood was injured. The police recovered a huge quantity of illicit arms from their possession. The POs were wanted by the police in various cases of murder during dacoity, kidnap for ransom and other crimes.

It was the second big police encounter in the district during the last seven days. Earlier, as many as five POs were killed in an encounter with Daska police near T.B. Hospital on Daska-Pasrur Road on Feb 14.

KILLED: A labourer, Muhammad Arshad, was killed while more than 13 passengers, including women and children, were injured seriously when a speeding Pasrur-bound bus (LRO-5899) skidded off the road and fell into a ravine near Bhaagowal Chowk in Pasrur tehsil on Monday.

The injured were admitted to the Pasrur THQ Hospital. Pasrur police have registered a case against the fleeing bus driver. Meanwhile, three-year-old Alam was crushed under the wheels of a truck (AJK-1561) on Sambrial-Daska Road near Gadiyala village. Sambrial police have registered a case against the absconding truck driver.

ROBBERIES: Three car riders snatched cash, gold ornaments and mobile phones worth Rs1.1 million at gunpoint from trader Malik Mansoor in Naikapura locality on Sunday night.

In Chhanga village, Satrah, Daska tehsil, four robbers stormed into the house of farmer Noor Ahmad, held his family hostage at gunpoint and took away dowry of his two daughters comprising gold ornaments, electronic goods, cash and other valuables worth Rs250,000. Satrah police have registered a case.