Drug trafficker arrested, narcotics , illegal weapon recovered

CHICHAWATNI, Mar 16 (APP):The police on Monday apprehended a high-profile drug trafficker  following a violent late-night shootout in Shahkot area.

The police officials say the confrontation began when a police team launched a targeted raid to apprehend the suspect.

Upon arrival, the suspect and several accomplices opened fire on the police before attempting to retreat into nearby fields.

The police returned fire in self-defense during the brief, intense exchange, they added.

When the gunfire ceased, the team conducting a search of the perimeter and arrested a suspect, identified as Mazhar Iqbal, wounded on the ground.

The police team also seized  hashish 1.5 kilograms and illegal 30 bore pistol.

Iqbal, a known repeat offender with a long criminal record for narcotics trafficking, was transported to a local hospital under heavy guard, the police said.

While his accomplices managed to escape into the darkness, a massive police search operation remained underway to track them down, they added.