SUKKUR, April 18: A policeman was killed in an encounter with robbers in Dad Leghari near Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district, on Monday. Unidentified armed robbers blocked the road leading to Kenjhar to loot commuters. When motorcyclists Mohammad Ramzan Leghari and Mistri Abdul Hafeez, both residents of Dad Leghari, reached there, the robbers intercepted them and snatched their motorcycles.

The motorcyclists informed the area police who chased the robbers. The robbers opened fire on policemen who retaliated. In the ensuing exchange of fire, constable Qadir Bux Rind was killed.

According to the police, a robber was also injured but his accomplices took him away, leaving behind a motorcycle.

The body of the constable was taken to Mirpur Mathelo and then to his village – Kaloo Rind Goth – where it was buried.

DPO of Ghotki Pir Mohammad Shah has announced promotion of the deceased constable, Rs2 million compensation for his family and a job in the police force for a person belonging to family.

The bazaar and shops were closed in Dad Leghari to mourn the death of Qadir Bux.

Later, police launched an operation in the villages of Sawanjhro, Gopo Pitafi, Guloo Pitafi and Bari Pitafi and took eight women and seven men in custody whose names they did not disclose.

It is a common practice in rural Sindh that police pick up relatives of suspects, including women, to pressurise them to surrender.

No case was registered till late Monday night.