Cop, four criminals killed in Kohat encounter

Sunday, June 05, 2011 (NEWS)

KOHAT: Four outlaws including a proclaimed offender and a police official were killed during an encounter in the limits of Ustarzai Police Station, a police official said on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference, District Police Officer (DPO) Mubarak Zeb said that a fierce clash took place when the police raided the hideout of a dreaded criminal, Nusrat Hussain alias Balo Mian, in Landi Kachai area.

He said that Balo Mian along with his three accomplices, Jehangir, Gulfam Ali and Juma Khan were killed in the firefight. He said a police official was also killed in the gunbattle. However, identity of the slain cop was not disclosed. He said personnel of the Elite Force also took part in the action.

The official said the raid was launched on Friday night that lasted for several hours. He said that a huge cache of explosives, an anti-tank mine, three hand grenades, four Kalashnikov rifles, thousands of bullets and five daggers were seized while searching the hideout.

He said a criminal was also arrested during the operation. He said that Balo Mian had killed three police officials including ASI Kamran and constables Asghar Khan and Musawir Hussain when the police raided their hideout two years back.

After that incident, DPO Mubarak Zeb said, the outlaw went into hiding and established a no-go area. He said he was involved in kidnappings for ransom, killings and armed robberies. He said the gang was fanning sectarianism in the area. He said the no-go area was abolished and writ of the state was restored.