SARGODHA: A man identified by police as Faisal Shafqat Bhatti, a resident of Sillanwali tehsil, was killed in an alleged police encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) in Sargodha, officials said.

According to police sources, Bhatti was wanted in multiple murder cases registered in Sargodha and Khushab districts and had been declared a proclaimed offender. Authorities said he had been living abroad for an extended period and reportedly returned to Pakistan late the previous night. A video statement attributed to him had circulated on social media prior to his arrival.

Police said the encounter occurred during an operation conducted by the CCD. Details surrounding the exchange of fire were not immediately disclosed.

Following the incident, the body was shifted to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Sargodha for legal formalities. Officials confirmed that a post-mortem examination was underway. Senior police officers and a heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel were present at the hospital.

Further investigation into the circumstances of the encounter is ongoing.