A cross first information report (FIR) has been registered following a firing incident involving supporters of rival groups in connection with the NA-168 by-election in Bahawalpur.
In his complaint, Malik Nawab Channar of Baqirpur alleged that supporters of the Cheema group attacked them and attempted to force them to participate in an election rally addressed by Wali Dad Cheema and other leaders on Friday.
Bahawalpur Saddar police registered the complaint and incorporated it into an FIR lodged a day earlier against 20 individuals affiliated with PML-N candidate for NA-168, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar.
Bahawalpur District Police Officer spokesperson Muhammad Ayyub Gujjar confirmed the registration of the cross FIR, describing it as a report filed by Saddar police. He said police had so far made no arrests from either side.
Separately, a joint team of Lodhran Police and the Crime Control Department (CCD) claimed to have killed a suspected criminal allegedly wanted in 28 cases registered at various police stations in the region.
According to police, a CCD team signalled three motorcyclists near Pull Sheikhoo to stop for identification. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police and CCD personnel, who returned fire.
Police said one suspect was killed during the exchange, while his two accomplices escaped under the cover of darkness.
The deceased was identified as Ramzan alias Guddoo, who police said was wanted in more than 28 cases.
