SAHIWAL, Oct 24: The ringleader of an inter-district dacoit gang was killed by Chichawatni police in an ‘encounter’ on Friday, police sources said.

Abbas Chohan, alias Baso, operating his dacoit gang, was involved in a number of dacoity and robbery cases in Pakpattan, Sahiwal and Okara districts.

On Thursday night, Baso along with three others broke into the house of Shahzad in 37/12-L, Chichawatni. Gangsters injured Shahzad for offering resistance and left the house. Shahzad called in police and Kassowal and Chichawatni Saddar police officials arrived at the spot. Seeing police, the gangsters took cover in adjacent maize fields and opened fire on them. Police also retaliated with fire which ended with the death of Baso and fleeing of three others.

Hafiz Saeed, Chichawatni Saddar station house officer, said a pistol and rounds of cartridges were found near Baso’s body.