SUKKUR, Dec 23: The Kashmor police arrested five dacoits near Kashmor on Sunday.

The Kashmor police had been tipped-off that a gang of armed dacoits would be arriving at Niazi Bund so a heavy contingent of police surrounded the area.

The dacoits sensing danger opened fire on the police. The latter retaliated. The firing continued for about an hour after which police were able to arrest five dacoits — Sharif Shar, Nazeer alias Nazro Shar, Qaim Shar, Naseer Shar, and Alam Shar. Kalashnikovs and other weapons along with a good quantity of ammunition were recovered from their possession.

All five dacoits are said to belong to the gang of Ali Gul Shar. The gang was involved in the kidnapping of 56 bus passengers from Kashmor and other crimes.

The dacoits were also involved in crimes in Machka, Rahimyar Khan, Ubaro, Daharki, Ghotki, Guddu, Kashmor, Shikarpur and Jacobabad.

GANG BUSTED: The Sukkur police busted a gang of thieves involved in dozens of theft and looting cases in Ghotki and its nearby vicinity on Sunday.

The ASP, Sukkur, Mazhar Shaikh, was tipped off that three thieves — Asif Arain, Sanaullah Chachar and Safdar Pathan — would be arriving at Sukkur for committing crimes and would be staying with an accomplice, Ghulam Nabi Jatoi.

So the ASP along with a police team raided their hideout and arrested all three while their accomplice managed to escape.

Pistols, jewellry and a huge amount of cash was recovered from their possession.

During preliminary interrogation the accused confessed to their crimes.