SUKKUR: Several hideouts of a dacoit gang in the riverine area of Khanpur Mahar in Ghotki district were torched and five suspects were rounded up on Sunday following an incident in which a citizen was deprived of his motorcycle and one of the villagers chasing them was shot dead by gangsters, the district police claimed.

Giving details, the Ghotki police said that a gang had snatched a motorcycle from a man, Shehbaz Panhiyar, at gun point in the Wahi Ghoto locality near Khanpur Mahar town. Soon after the incident, a group of villagers chased the outlaws and spotted them at some distance. However, the outlaws opened fire on them killing a youth, Sabir Panhiyar.

Upon receiving the information, Ghotki SSP Dr Sumair Noor Channa formed a strong contingent of police led by the Mirpur Mathelo DSP. Officers and personnel from Khanpur Mahar, Jarwar, Yaro Loond, Mirpur Mathelo and others police stations were drawn for a crackdown on the outlaws.

The police force carried out raids on different places in Sonhajiro Bozdar, Pir Bari and others villages on Sunday.

The entire area was cordoned off and several suspected hideouts of dacoits were torched during the action, the police said.

Khanpur Mahar SHO Barkat Ali Bhatti told reporters that the snatched motorcycle, as well as another two wheeler believed to be used by the outlaws, were recovered. He said five suspected outlaws were detained during the crackdown and they were under interrogation. He claimed that the outlaws who shot dead Sabir Panhiyar were identified and would be arrested soon as the police action was continuing.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2024