TAXILA: One suspect was shot dead while two others were injured in three different `shootouts` with police in various parts of Attock, the police sources said.

According to police spokesman, one suspect killed and another shot and injured were allegedly involved in injuring Head Constable Abdul Rehman in the limits of Hazro Police station on Thursday. The other suspect injured was a hardened criminal under investigation.

The police spokesperson claimed that the suspects were killed and injured by their accomplices during an exchange of fire. Soon after the incident, senior police officers also rushed to the respective spots. Three different cases were registered on behalf of the state.

The spokesman has said that suspect involved in the shooting of a police head constable was killed in a `shootout` with police near Moosa village area, Ghazi Barotha Canal, when three persons riding on a motorcycle tried to intercept, but they opened indiscriminate fire.

The police team narrowly escaped serious harm and responded cautiously. When gunfire subsided, officers discovered an injured suspect lying on the ground and claimed he had been unintentionally shot by hisaccomplices.

The spokesman has claimed that the suspect was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment, but succumbed to his injuries en route.

Separately, the same police claimed to arrest a suspect in an injured condition after brief shootout with police near the village of Yaseen. The spokesman claimed that during the preliminary investigation, the injured suspect made startling revelations.

Meanwhile, a hardened criminal wanted in several robbery incidents was shot and injured in a botched attempt by his accomplices near Jablahat in the limits of Hassanabdal Police Station.

According to police sources, accused was being brought back to police station after recovery operation when two unidentified armed men ambushed police convoy, intending to kill and free the under-custody suspect. The attackers opened fire and managed to help accused escape, continuing to fire while fleeing the scene.

Additional police personnel were immediately called to the area, and during an intensive search operation, the notorious dacoit was found injured.

The spokesman said that following incidents, police have launched a largescale search operation in surrounding areas, setting up checkpoints and conducting raids to apprehend the two armed fugitives still at large.