Drug trafficker killed in police encounter, 100kg hashish, weapons seized

FAISALABAD, Jul 10 (APP): A proclaimed and record-holding drug trafficker was killed in an alleged police encounter in Jaranwala tehsil while the police recovered more than 100 kilograms (kg) hashish and weapons from his vehicle.

Police spokesman Tariq Jutt said here on Friday that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of City Jaranwala police station during an operation carried out on the directions of City Police Officer (CPO) Faisalabad Tanveer Hussain.

He said that SHO City Jaranwala police station Sub Inspector (SI) Muzaffar Khokhar accompanied by ASI Ghulam Abbas and other police personnel had established a checkpoint near Punjab Hospital on Lahore Road to intercept suspected criminals.

The police signaled a suspicious car to stop, but its occupants allegedly opened fire on the police party and fled the scene.

The police team immediately launched a chase and intercepted the vehicle near 240 Mor after surrounding the suspects.

The police directed the outlaws for surrender but they once against opened blunt fire on the police party.

During encounter, one of the accused sustained injuries and was taken into custody while his accomplices managed to escape from the scene. The injured accused was shifted to hospital, but in vain as he succumbed to his injuries later.

Police identified the deceased as Zubair alias Zubairi Cousin resident of Islampura Jaranwala and he was a record-holding narcotics dealer wanted by police in more than a dozen criminal cases.

A search of the suspect’s vehicle led to the recovery of more than 100 kilograms hashish along with weapons which were taken into police custody as evidence while further legal proceedings are under progress.

A special team was also constituted which started manhunt to arrest the escapees, he added.