Six men were killed
and nine policemen injured today when a police convoy carrying suspects linked to a deadly church attack came under fire in eastern Pakistan.
The convoy was carrying four men suspected of carrying out the massacre last October of 16 Christians and a Muslim at a church in Bahawalpur.
They were being taken to arms and ammunition they said they had hidden in nearby Khairpur Tamewali when four gunmen, apparently linked to the suspects, began firing at the police vehicles near Bahawalpur. The suspects were killed in the crossfire, police said.
Police sub-inspector Mohammad Arshad, who witnessed the early afternoon attack, said two of the four gunmen also died in the ensuing battle. The other two escaped.
A doctor at the hospital said nine policemen were injured and were being taken to a larger medical facility.