DADU, June 21: Police were successful in arresting five dacoits and recovering weapons from their possession after an encounter at Bothro village of Mehar Taluka, said DPO Manzoor Hussain Khatian and SP Investigation Haji Sikandar Hussain Mangi here on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference at the Dadu office, the DPO said a heavy police contingent led by SP Investigation reached Bothro village Mehar Taluka on receiving information that the gang of dacoit Maroof were hiding there.

Police surrounded their hideout after which firing from both sides began and continued for two hours, leading to the arrest of Maroof alias Ali Mohammad Surjani, Hakeem Gadhi, Nizam Jhatiyal, Haleem alias Haloo Machhi and Mazhar Ali Surjani.

The SP Investigation said two Kalashnikovs, two shotguns, one double-barrel gun and 200 live rounds of bullets were recovered from them. He said over 50 cases of kidnappings, dacoities, robberies and murders were registered against them with Thariri Mohbat, Mehar, Nau Goth, Badah and Warah police in Dadu, Qambar and Larkana districts.

He said Maroof alias Ali Mohammad Surjani was the cousin of dacoit Qadoo Surjani and had killed three policemen in Thariri Mohbat police station area five years ago. He said Haleem alias Haloo Machhi had murdered three policemen in Badah town six years back.

He said Sindh police had recommended Rs500,000 head-money for Haleem alias Haloo Machhi as those arrested were wanted in Dadu, Larkana and Qambar districts for last 10 years.