ISLAMABAD: Two policemen were shot dead at a checkpoint by gunmen here on Tuesday night, police said.

One of the victims was ASI Mohammad Mohsin Zafar and the other was Head Constable Sajid Ahmed.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Waqaruddin Syed told Dawn the incident took place at Checkpoint No 26 in Tarnol area of the federal capital. A three-member team of policemen had set up a `halting point` there for checking vehicles, he added.

Initial investigations revealed that two persons on a motorcycle were involved in the policemen`s killing, he stated, addingthere was apparently a scuf fle between the ASI and the gunmen as his shirt`s collar was found torn. There were also some scratch marks on the body of the ASI Zaf ar, he said.

Both the officials suffered two bullet wounds each, the DIG stated, adding that apparently during the scuffle the culprits fired some 16 bullets from 30-bore and 9MM pistols. Of the 16 bullets, four hit the policemen, while one hit a car parked near the spot, Mr Syed said, adding that the culprits fled from the scene.

The culprits might be terrorists or common criminals, the DIG stated, adding that police were investigating the crime from all angles.-Munawer Azeem