RAHIM YAR KHAN, July 22: Sadiqabad police claimed on Thursday to have arrested nine dacoits after an encounter and recovered three motorcycles from their possession.

Assistant Superintendent Police Pir Muhammad Shah told newsmen that Bashir Ahmad along with his son was on his way on the Moran Road when the dacoits tried to take away his bike. Meanwhile, Sadiqabad Sadar Moharrar Hameed reached there and informed the police mobile.

On seeing the police team, the bandits opened fire on it. The police retaliated and arrested Sajjad Gopang, Ghaus Bakhsh Dasti, Faizi Dasti along with six others.

CANAL BREACH: A water thief caused a wide breach in 4-L Akhtiar distributary canal on Wednesday as a result of which cotton crop on about 750 acres was damaged.

Jan Muhammad was stealing water from 4-L Akhtiar distributary in Zahir Pir's village Makkan Bela. He breached the bank of the canal which widened due to strong water currents. The gushing water not only destroyed cotton crop but also damaged mud houses.

Irrigation department officials reached the scene and plugged the breach with the help of area people after 12 hours struggle. Meanwhile, people told this scribe that water theft was a common practice in this area.

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