A seven-year-old girl was killed, and three Crime Control Department (CCD) police officers were seriously injured during a late-night encounter with a suspected criminal and his accomplices in the Kacha Shah Alam area of Mango Changar, on the outskirts of Bhakkar. Police said they received confirmed intelligence at around 2am that the dangerous wanted suspect Iftikhar was present.
Acting quickly on the tip-off, a police contingent moved to conduct a raid. However, upon spotting the police, the suspects allegedly opened fire indiscriminately. Inspector Abdul Sattar Khichi, in-charge of CCD Bhakkar, suffered two bullet injuries to his arm and leg. SHO Usman Aziz was shot in the leg while ASI Muhammad Mukhtiar received a gunshot wound to his foot. All three officers were seriously injured but remained conscious.
The suspects continued firing as they entered nearby residential houses apparently trying to evade arrest. They used a seven-year-old girl, Zahra, as a human shield during this chaotic situation. While fleeing, further gunfire struck the child who succumbed to her injuries on the spot.
Rescue teams transported the injured officers and the deceased girl’s body to District Headquarters Hospital Bhakkar. Inspector Abdul Sattar Khichi was initially provided treatment and later referred by ambulance to Services Hospital Lahore for further care, where he is currently under observation.
District Police Officer (DPO) Bhakkar Shehzad Rafiq Awan arrived shortly after the incident and reviewed the situation. He directed officers to provide best possible medical care for the injured police and to preserve evidence while expediting the investigation.
Police authorities stated that the suspected criminal, Iftikhar, is wanted by the police in several districts and has been involved in serious crimes including robbery and attempted murder.