LARKANA, Jan 16: Five policemen, including a subinspector, were taken into custody and dismissed from service, and also issued notice on charge of criminal negligence when an under trial prisoner brought to court for hearing was killed and two injured by one of the inmates on Monday while kept in a lockup situated on the backside of the premises. The weapon used in the crime was allegedly smuggled inside with the food brought in by a female relative, SSP Larkana Aijaz Tareen said.

The five policemen were identified as Sub-Inspector Khursheed Ahmed Chachar, ASI Abdul Raheem Tunio and constables Jam Jatoi, Arbab Ali Tunio and Liaquat Ali.

The killer along with the pistol used in the crime was recovered, SSP said.

A UTP Mashooque Umrani was brought to the district and sessions court and kept inside a lockup meant for prisoners when he was killed by another UTP Habibullah Umrani.

A feud between two groups of Umrani was brewing since last two years after Ihsan Umrani, brother of Habibullah Umrani was killed by the members of the other group over some domestic dispute.

However, other UTPs injured the killer with their handcuffs, he said.

The SSP said that the lock-up was meant for keeping prisoners coming to court prior to producing before courts.

Sakina Umrani, a close relative of the killer had clandestinely smuggled the pistol after bypassing the checking.

Mashooque Umrani, Arif Umrani and another UTP Darban Jatol were injured in the ongoing dispute between Umranis residing in Shahul Umrani village located in the jurisdiction of Arija Phairhi Wara police station. Darban Jatoi was not involved in the dispute.

The abrupt firing inside the lockup created panic and around 25 UTPS were caught in unsafe situation.

Later, a large number of people gathered at the scene, the court sources said. Heavy police contingent lead by DSP Civil Lines Muhammed Amin Khoso arrived at the scene.

Police entered the lockup and after overpowering the killer, shifted the injured to the hospital where Mashooque Umrani expired.

The alleged killer and the injured were kept in separate wards in the CMCH with police deployed to avoid any untoward situation.

Civil lines police on the complaint of Imdad Umrani, brother of the deceased had registered an FIR nominating Habibullah Umrani, Ms Sakina Umrani and Ahmed Umrani.