SUKKUR, Jan 18 The Ghotki police in search of an absconding criminal raided some villages in the katcho area on Sunday, torched 11 houses and arrested eight suspects.

Sources quoting villagers claimed that during the search operation, police took away gold ornaments and other valuables and also set ablaze 11 houses, turning stocks of grain and household items into ashes.

Police sources claimed that they had received a tip-off that criminal Zahid Loond, along with some hostages, was hiding in the area.

They said that Zahid somehow managed to escape and the police arrested some suspects.

They claimed that the police had torched hideouts of criminals.

Despite repeated attempts, Ghotki DPO Jawed Jiskani could not be contacted for his comments on the operation. —Correspondent