SUKKUR: Two brothers and their two nephews were gunned down by six intruders apparently during a violent house robbery in Khuhra Kalhoro village of Khairpur district, officials at the Faiz Mohammad Bhindo police station said on Friday.

They said that a gang of six outlaws barged into the house of Ali Dino Kalhoro, overpowered everyone at gunpoint and confined them to a portion of the house. The gangsters then collected all valuables, including cash and gold jewellery meant for the marriage of Amjad, 20, and Shahid, sons of Khaliq Dino Kalhoro. The marriage was scheduled for last week but postponed due to lockdown in the province to check coronavirus spread.

While the outlaws were busy gathering livestock outside to take them away before fleeing the house, Ali Dino, 45, his brothers Sadiq Dino, 40, and Khaliq Dino, along with the two youths made an attempt to snatch arms from some of them. However, the outlaws opened indiscriminate fire killing Ali Dino, Sadiq Dino, Amjad and Shahid on the spot.

Later, police arrived in the village, located between Piryaloi and Pir Jo Goth towns, some 15 kilometres from here.

An FIR of the incident was not registered till the filing of this report. The SSP said it would be registered when the bereaved family approached the area police station after funeral of the deceased persons.

A strong contingent of the Khairpur city police led by SSP Umar Tufail and SHO Lala Ameer Pathan was deployed in the village. A police party also went after the outlaws and picked up 10 suspects from the neighbouring village of Dhand Narejo. Arms were seized from them, it was stated but identity of the suspects was not disclosed.

Speaking to local reporters, the SSP said disclosing the names at this early stage might undermine an investigation into the tragic episode.

He said the katcha area next to the village had been cordoned off and an operation might be launched against outlaws having their hideouts deep inside.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2020