SUKKUR, April 11: A police inspector and an alleged bandit were shot dead in a fierce gun battle in the Rawnti forest, in the jurisdiction of Andal Sundrani police station, Ghotki district, on Monday morning. Police received information that a bandit, Kori Shar, had encamped in the Rawnti forest with stolen cars, motorcycles, and tractors. Following a tip-off, Ghotki DPO Agha Tahir with a strong contingent of police surrounded the camp of Kori Shar.

An encounter followed between the dacoits and police in which the SHO of Andal Sundrani police station, Ghulam Nabi Mahar, was gunned down while an alleged accomplice of dacoit Kori Shar, identified as Fatoo Shar, was also killed. The body of the accomplice of the dacoit was taken away by his colleagues, police claimed.

The dacoits also captured an APC of the Ghotki police and destroyed a tractor forcing police to back off.

Sukkur RPO Tariq Saleem Lone and DIG Zulfiqar Shah reached Mirpur Mathelo and attended the funeral prayers of the deceased SHO.

The RPO announced that the widow of the late officer would continue to get the salary, along with pension and gratuity, till she reaches the age of 60, while brother or a son of the killed officer would be provided job in the department.

Later, his body was shifted to his native village, Chak, Shikarpur district, where he was laid to rest.

RANSOM DEMANDED: A gang of dacoits, who have kidnapped Abdul Rasheed Solangi from the jurisdiction of Guddu police station, approximately one and a half month back, has demanded a ransom of Rs600,000 from his father, Allah Jawayo Solangi.