RAHIM YAR KHAN: Dacoits belonging to notorious Indhar gang on Sunday allegedly gunned down nine men at a petrol pump near Chowk Mahi, near the Sindh border, for informing police about their criminal activities and hideouts.

As per police, the gunmen of Indhar gang arrived at the petrol pump on three motorcycles, led by Janu Indhar, and forced their entry into the manager’s office where eight men of their rival group were present.

Police said the gunmen opened indiscriminate fire, killing Munawar Indhar, Ghulam Nabi Indhar, Sharif Indhar, Farooq, Nazir, Ahmed, Pir Baksh, Zaheer and Dadoo, an employee at the petrol pump, on the spot.

As per local sources, the petrol pump where the nine men were shot dead in broad daylight was located near Daoodwala police check post.

The sources said the area, not far from the Indus katcha area, had become a lawless territory since long, where dacoits gangs were operating audaciously and kidnapping for ransom was a routine.

They said people of the area, including businessmen of Sadiqabad tehsil, had repeatedly requested the RYK district police officer to control the increasing crimes in the area, but to no avail.

Police sources said the killings were a result of an old enmity between the Indhar gang’s ringleader Janu and the deceased men. They said Janu had been harbouring a grudge against the family since his brother Khanu Indhar was killed by police, along with his five gang members.

Janu suspected that the deceased men had informed police about the whereabouts of his brother.

After the killings, scores of locals gathered on Guddu Road and protested against the incident, demanding immediate arrest of the killers.

Additional Inspector General Police South Punjab retired Capt Zafar Iqbal Awan has suspended DSP Sadiqabad circle Abbas Akhtar, Kot Sabzal Station House Officer Safdar Iqbal Sindhu and incharge Daoodwala police check post, a press release said on Sunday night.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2021