Two cops injured in firing by drug peddler

MANSEHRA: Two policemen were injured when a group of outlaws led by an alleged narcotics peddler opened fire at them in the Lassan Nawab area of Tanawal here late Tuesday.

The incident occurred when constables Mohammad Moib and Mohammad Rehmat raided the narcotic den operated by alleged drug pusher Mohammad Azam in the Mangal Dogha area on the outskirts of Lassan Nawab town.

The accused Azam and his two accomplices allegedly opened fire at policemen, leaving both of them injured. The accused fled the scene.The local women, stated to be family members of the accused, also allegedly pelted raiding policemen with stones giving narcotics peddlers a cover to run away from the area.

The injured policemen were rushed to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital where doctors hospitalised both of them after removing bullets from their bodies through surgery. District Police Officer (DPO) Shafeeullah Khan Gandapur rushed to the hospital and inquired after the health of both injured constables.

“We have sealed areas where the accused could escape their arrests but police are after them and we would arrest them shortly,” Gandapur told reporters.“The narcotics peddlers have gone out of senses since we started displaying panaflexes carrying their photos and crime sheets at prominent public places and outside police stations in the jurisdictions of 17 police stations in the district,” the DPO said.