BAHAWALNAGAR: A hardened criminal escaped Khichiwala police custody on Tuesday with the help of his accomplices. They also took away two rifles of the police officials.

Police said Kashif, alias Kasha, of Chak 171/7R, was in the custody of Khichiwala police on a 10-day judicial remand in a robbery case.

He allegedly robbed Rs1.7 million from Tariq, nephew of Fortabbas MPA Naeem.

Police said Kashif was booked in six cases. He was also wanted to Hasilpur police in two murder cases.

On Tuesday, police, led by Sub-Inspector Cheema with three other cops, was taking Kashif to Fort Abbas to a magistrate court.

According to Fort Abbas Deputy Superintendent of Police Mehar Nasir, when the police van arrived near Adda Shahbazwala, two cars inter-cepted the police van and car passengers opened unprovoked firing. They got freed Kashif from police, snatched two rifles from police and left the tyres of police vehicle flat before fleeing. Police are after the accused.

FOOD DRIVE: Twenty-six eatery owners were booked for 565 violations of hygienic and food regulations during 995 inspections in 10 days in Bahawalnagar district, District Coordination Officer Syed Haider Iqbal said.

He said the government wanted to ensure the provision of hygienic premises and health food to the masses through adopting strict measures. He said 995 food inspection have been carried out where 35 eateries were sealed due to the violations of food and sanitary conditions.

The teams imposed a 613,500 fine on several eatery owners and got registered FIRs against 26 people. He said a zero tolerance policy had been adopted in the drive.