Passerby killed, five cops injured in clash

LAHORE

A passerby was killed while seven other people, including five policemen, sustained injuries in crossfire between villagers and policemen during an operation against encroachments in the Chung police area on Wednesday.

The injured policemen are Chung SHO Inspector Nasir Chatha, Anum Azmat, 25, Saleem, 30, Imran, 35 and Shakeel, 32. An official of LDA named Zahur Ahmad and a civilian Asghar are among the injured.  The deceased has been identified as Faqeer Hussain.

Rescue 1122 and Edhi ambulances removed the injured to Jinnah Hospital where the condition of the SHO was stated to be critical as he had suffered bullet injury in his neck. 

According to police, LDA called police for help to launch operation against encroachments in Kothay Da Pind.

The villager started pelting stones at policemen and LDA officials. Police retaliated with tear gas shelling while some of the villagers also opened firing. Then police also opened fire.

As a result, a passerby died on the spot while seven other people, including the policemen, suffered injuries.

 Heavy contingent of police were called in to control the situation and arrest protesters. Senior police officers also reached the scene.

Eyewitnesses said the crossfire was so horrific that they saved their lives by lying down. Police have arrested several villagers and registered a case against them.

boy kidnapped: Another boy was kidnapped in the Badami Bagh police jurisdiction on Wednesday.

Victim Yasin's father told police he had left home to offer Fajar prayers but did not return home. He alleged some unknown persons had kidnapped his son.

Police have started a search for the victim .   The incidents of kidnapping in Badami Bagh have remarkably increased but police have yet to arrest the gang involved in it.