RAJANPUR, May 1: Eight 'outlaws' and an SHO were killed in a six-hour shootout in the Kutcha area of the river Indus early Saturday. Rajanpur police also claimed arresting nine other dacoits , who were about to flee after the shootout.

Reports said Bangla Ichha police station SHO Muhammad Azeem Niazi received information that some hardened criminals had taken refuge at a hideout. He constituted four teams comprising officials of the Baloch Levies, police and the Elite Force to crack down on the gang.

The SHO led a team to the identified place where the inmates opened fire on the raiding team, killing him (Mr Niazi) instantly. The other teams also reached there and, in an exchange of fire that ensued, eight of the dacoits were shot dead.

They were identified as Sona, Ali Dost, Muhammad Bakhsh, Rafiqullah, Dil Murad, Mohib, Noor Elahi and Elahi Bakhsh. All of them were relatives, who resided at Bailay Shah village. The police caught nine others fleeing.

Rajanur DPO Shahid Iqbal told newsmen that six kalashnikoves and two rifles were recovered from the gangsters, who were active in Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad. They were also involved in murders in Rajanur, he added.

Funeral prayers for the SHO were offered at the district lines. Senior officials of the department and local administration were present.

DGI Humayun Raza Shafi told reporters afterwards that he would take up the matter of the deceased's promotion and compensation for his family with the Punjab IGP. Besides, his son would be recruited as an ASI once he completed his FSc.

It may be mentioned that the deceased SHO had earlier led a team, which broke the network of a Bosan dacoits' gang.

APP adds: Several relatives of the gang from nearby villages joined them in the armed clash. Those arrested were Mir Khan, Abdul Hakim, Fateh, Lutf, Muhammad Haleem, Yaroo, Mushtaq, Jalal, and 12-year-old Abu Bakar.