SHIKARPUR, June 7: Five bandits allegedly involved in kidnapping of two judges were killed in an encounter with police near Jatan-ji-Kiri village, Garhi Yasin taluka, on Tuesday afternoon. On a tip-off, Shikarpur DPO Pir Fareed Jan Sarhandi deployed a 16-member police team near the village graveyard to arrest bandit Anno Shar and his accomplices.

The bandits riding on two motorcycles when crossed the graveyard the police team challenged them.

The bandits opened fire on police.

After an exchange of heavy fire, five dacoits were killed.

They were identified by police as Esso Shar, Amir Bux Shar alias Ketoo Shar, Latif Shar, Ali Hassan Shar and Ali Hyder Otho. Their ring leader Anno Shar escaped.

The police recovered five Kalashnikov rifles, two motorcycles and 700 rounds from them.

The DPO claimed that the gang was involved in the kidnapping of two judges and scores of other heinous crimes including murders, highway robberies, kidnapping for ransom and police encounters.

Anno Shar was carrying Rs1,000,000 as head money.