Police conducted four separate encounters in different areas of Gujranwala, resulting in the death of two suspects while three others were arrested in injured condition, officials said on Monday.

According to police, the operations were carried out under the supervision of City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan as part of a crackdown against hardened criminals.

In the first incident within the jurisdiction of Ghakhar police station, SHO Rana Adil and his team reportedly intercepted a suspect identified as Kashif alias “Manna,” who was wanted in robbery and narcotics cases. Police said the suspect was being taken for recovery of weapon when three unidentified accomplices ambushed the police party and opened fire in an attempt to free him.

During the exchange of fire, the suspect was killed by gunfire allegedly from his own accomplices, while the attackers managed to flee.

Police said Kashif was a drug addict and had recently been involved in a murder case following a stabbing incident over a minor dispute.

In a separate encounter in the jurisdiction of City Kamoke police station, SHO Shujaat Afzal Bhat and his team engaged suspects who allegedly opened indiscriminate fire at a police checkpoint along with three accomplices.

Police said the suspect, Ashiq, was also killed in crossfire believed to have been fired by his own group.

A 30-bore pistol was recovered from the scene, while his accomplices escaped.

In another operation in the Kot Ladha police limits, SHO Bilal Butt and his team exchanged fire with suspects Ali Arslan and Ali Hassan along with four accomplices.

The suspects, who were earlier on physical remand in a robbery case from Qila Didar Singh, were injured and arrested while attempting to flee. Police said they had been freed from custody by armed accomplices during transit.