LAHORE  - In yet another surprise move, the Punjab police declared a state of general hold-up for two hours across the Punjab province on Thursday, intensifying snap checking and search for suspected persons.
Police officials said that on the orders of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Aftab Sultan, the police carried out a surprise general hold-up for the second time across the province. The general hold up continued for two hours with massive police deployment in every nook and corner of the province and intensive checking of the vehicles and motorists throughout the province.
A police spokesperson termed the surprise move as very successful and confirmed that the police arrested 841 hardened and most wanted proclaimed offenders besides 226 court absconders during the general hold up from across the province.  Similarly, under prohibition ordinance, 202 cases were registered against the arrested persons as the police also seized 28-kg chars, 2352 gram heroin from their possession.  During the two-hour long general hold up, the police under arms Ordinance, arrested at least 588 accused persons and registered 398 cases against them besides recovering 394 illegal weapons from them.
During the same exercise, the policemen checked at least 14869 motorcycles out of which 2378 were impounded on the charges of fake and illegal number plates or without number plates in various police stations of the province.
During the surprise operation, a total 6014 vehicles were examined by the police out of which 52 suspected vehicles, having fake or no number plates, were impounded by the police in the Punjab province.  Provincial police chief, IG Aftab Sultan, has further directed the field police officers to remain on their toes for holding up such surprise operations in order to curb crimes and to bring the criminals and terrorist to justice.
Encounter: Two hardened criminals involved in 44 cases of crimes of heinous nature including murder, kidnapping for ransom, and dacoities were killed during an armed encounter with the District Police Rahim Yar Khan in the jurisdiction of Aab-e-Hayat police station on Thursday.  In a statement issued from the central police office, the criminals were identified Madad Ali alias Madi and Ghulam Hussain alias Hasni.
As per details, a resident of Tibbi Lara, Ghulam Mustafa son of Shah Nawaz along with his friend Sajjad Niazi was coming back to Rahim Yar Khan from Abu Dhabi Colony when four gunmen stopped them near Sunny Pully. The gunmen snatched Rs 6100 from the motorcyclist and also took Sajjad Niazi with them to an unknown location.  According to Ghulam Mustafa, said to be a wheat dealer, the abductors demanded Rs five million ransom for his safe release.
Soon after the kidnapping incident, SHO Aab-e-Hayat police station Ghulam Haider along with his team started chasing the abductors while the police cordoned off the entire area. As the police reached near Chack No 245/P, the criminals opened fire on the police. The police also retaliated and the gunfire continued for more than 35 minutes. As a result, two of gunmen sustained multiple injuries while two other managed to escape from the scene during the crossfire. The injured were instantly shifted to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan, where they died. The police also recovered a 222-bore gun and a pistol from their possession.  During initial investigation, it was learnt that both the kidnappers were members of an inter-district Choto Bikhrani gang involved in abduction for ransom cases.