THATTA: Thatta police on Thursday claimed to have shot dead Latif Warayo, one of the most wanted dacoits operating in the district for over two years, in a brief encounter near Dargah Shah Murad Shah Shirazi on Jhimpir link road.

Thatta SSP Fidda Hussain Mastoi told newsmen that a police party led by Thatta SHO Amin Qureshi spotted a gang of four dacoits looting occupants of vehicles on the road in the early hours of Thursday and challenged them. He said the dacoits responded by firing and in the ensuing encounter Warayo was shot dead. His three accomplices, however, managed to escape, he added.

The SSP said that nine FIRs had been registered against the gangsters at different police stations of the district. He said a Kalashnikov and its live ammunition were seized from Warayao.

When the body was taken to the Makli Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination, Warayo’s relatives reacted angrily over his killing. They took the body to the local press club raising slogans against police and then placed it at the nearby section of the National Highway to stage a demonstration. The protesters also pelted shops and moving vehicles with stones causing damage to them and disrupting traffic movement on the highway.

A police contingent led by the Headquarters DSP rushed to the area and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the protesters and clear the highway.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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