UMERKOT: At least five policemen, including two Station House Officers (SHOs) and three suspected robbers, were killed in an exchange of fire in Mirpurkhas on Saturday morning.

Eight police personnel were also wounded in the clash that occurred during a police crackdown in the town of Ali Talpur, situated in the Mehmoodabad area of Mirpurkhas.

Hyderabad Deputy Inspector-General Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said police initiated a crackdown against criminals and a raiding party comprising of policemen and commandos raided a house in Ali Talpur town.

The occupants of the house opened straight fire on the police party, DIG Abbasi added.

Five police officials, including SHO Market Wahid Bux Laghari, SHO Latifabad Hassan Abidi, police constables Anwar, Jameel and Dilbar were killed in the shootout which was still ongoing.

Dr Abbasi further said that eight policemen, including SHO Mumtaz Birohi, were also wounded, whereas, three robbers, including Chotu and Qurban, who were wanted and had a bounty on their heads for involvement in several of cases of dacoity and kidnapping for ransom, were killed.

Sources said several persons were also taken into police custody whose identities could not be ascertained.

It is pertinent to mention here that initially the raid was conducted only by police commandos from Hyderabad, but later additional personnel from Mirpurkhas police were called in.