KHAIRPUR, Feb 6: Police have claimed to have killed a ‘bandit’ in an encounter in the kutcha area near Priyaloi on Sunday night. Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, DPO Ghulam Shabbir Shaikh said that after receiving information that a gang of bandits had moved towards Priyaloi to commit offence, police cordoned of the area.

Later, an encounter took place between the bandits and police which lasted for 30 to 40 minuts.

One Kalashnikovs, two magazines and 235 bullets were recovered from the killed bandit, Bachoo alias Bachal Jodh, whose accomplices escaped.

Police claimed that 25 cases were registered against Bachal Jodh at different police stations including Gambat, Sobhodero, Ahmadpur, Phuloo and Mangi Mari.

The DPO said he was also required to police in Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu, Naushahro Feroze and Ghotki districts.

However, there is a controversy over the identity of the killed person.

Rasool Bux Shaikh, accompanied by his relatives, told reporters on Monday that the deceased was his son, named Khamiso Shaikh, resident of the Titrovi village, Rohri taluka.

They alleged that police had arrested him near an agricultural farm along with Ali Sher and another person a few days ago. He alleged that police had killed him in a false encounter.

The body was lying in the Khairpur Civil Hospital till the filing of this report.