KHAIRPUR, April 11: Eight men were killed and three injured in an exchange of fire near Lal Watni village in the Ranipur area on Sunday. A group of villagers, belonging to the Watni clan, went to harvest wheat crop at the fields near the village, where 20 men were hiding.

As the villagers reached the fields, the assailants opened fire, killing Abdul Waheed, Imtiaz Hussain, Mohammad Amjad, Mohammad Tariq, Mohammad Shahid, Illahi Bux alias Allan and Imdad alias Mukhtiar on the spot.

Abdul Qadir of the attacking party was killed in retaliatory firing. Naveed Ahmad, Lal Dino and Malook were injured in the exchange of fire. Post-mortem of the bodies was conducted at Ranipur Rural Health Centre and those injured were admitted to Gambat and Ranipur rural health centres.

No case was registered till the filing of this report. After the incident, police set up four pickets to prevent further bloodshed.

The incident is said to be the result of an enmity between the two groups of the Watni clan, which was caused by the murder of Khalil Watni in Larkana about one year back. The dispute has so far claimed 11 lives.