HYDERABAD, Dec 9: A highwaymen was killed in police encounter on the National Highway on Ilyas Abrejo link road in the jurisdiction of Saeeabad police station and a 7MM rifle and 25 bullets were recovered from his possession late Saturday night.

When a Punjab bound night coach no. LOK-1865 coming from Karachi reached Hala town, two constables Karim Bukhsh and Moula Bukhsh boarded the bus and took their position at the front and rear doors of the vehicle.

When the coach reached Ilyas Abrejo link road five armed highwaymen emerged on the road and aiming their weapons at the driver asked him to stop the coach.

One of the highwaymen also fired a shot at the driver but he miraculously escaped unhurt.

As one of the highwaymen tried to board the coach from the front door, the police constable advised the passengers to lie down on the floor and fired upon the dacoit who sustained injury and fell down.

The other constable exchanged fire with the dacoits who became panicky and tried to flee with their injured accomplice. Ultimately the bandits ran for cover in the adjoining fields leaving the injured behind.

In the meantime the mobile police of Saeedabad station which was patrolling the National Highway also reached the spot.

The injured dacoit had died by then and on his body search an identity card was recovered which bore the name of Azeem Mallah son of Mohammad Mithal, resident of New Jatoi, taluka Moro, district Naushahro Feroze.

SDPO Hala Miandad Jakhro has reportedly gone in the pursuit of the dacoits.

SSP Hyderabad Moazzam Jah and DIG Abdur Rauf Yousufzai rushed to the spot and announced commendatory certificates and cash awards for the two constables.