KHAIRPUR, Nov 16: Three students were killed in police firing in Mithal Jagirani village, Gambat taluka, on Sunday.

According to Allah Wassayo, Amanullah Jagirani and other villagers, a heavy police contingent from different police stations raided the village. Angered by the police action the villagers protested and asked the police about their motive behind the raid.

Meanwhile, police opened fire, killing Allah Dino and Zameer Ahmed Jagirani on the spot and injuring Gul Baig, Liaquat and Ms Makhan, the villagers said.

Gul Baig was shifted to Sukkur hospital from where the doctors referred him to Chandka Medical College Hospital Larkana, but he died on his way to hospital, they said.

Later, a large number of villagers carrying three bodies staged a sit-in at Shah Hussain Chowk on the National Highway here to protest against police excess and murder of the three innocent villagers. The National Highway remained blocked for more than one hour which caused suspension of vehicular traffic on both sides of the highway.

The villagers raised slogans against police and burnt tyres.

Allah Wasayo Jagirani, Mithal and Amanullah Jagirani demanded lodging of murder case against the police.

They told journalists that two deceased were students of intermediate whereas the third one was a student of High School.

Later, a police team headed by SP Investigation police Khairpur, Ghulam Akbar Wagan, held talks with the protesters and assured them of justice.

Police sources said that police on a tip-off about presence of a notorious criminal Nisar Jagirani raided Mithal Jagirani village to arrest the outlaws. As police raided the village the criminals opened fire on police and an encounter took place, the sources claimed.

Our Sukkur correspondent adds: Sukkur DIG Bashir Ahmed Memon has ordered an inquiry into the killing of three students and injuring of four others by the police during raid.

According to sources, Khairpur DPO Pir Ali Shah has initiated probe into the incident.