VEHARI, Aug 9: Two dacoits were killed by the firing of villagers on Monday night at Chak No 112/EB, Gagoo area. Reports said three dacoits riding a motorcycle were fleeing after looting valuables from various houses. Meanwhile, some villagers chased the gangsters. On seeing the villagers, the dacoits opened fire.

During the crossfire, Shahzad and Abdul Qadir were killed on the spot while their accomplice Abdul Rasheed managed to escape.

Police have registered a case and are investigating.

GANGS SMASHED: The police claimed to have smashed three dacoits’ gangs, arrested their 10 members and recovered illegal weapons, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and drugs from them in July.

This was said by District Police Officer Mohammad Mukhtar Tikka in a press conference here on Tuesday.

He said Zahoora gang, Abdul Sattar alias Sattari gang and Saeed alias Sheeda gang had been active in various cities and towns of south Punjab, including Lodhran, Khanewal, Jahanian, Dunyapur, Kehror Pakka, Tibba Sultanpur, Karampur, Mitro and Mailsi. He said the arrested dacoits were involved in more than 70 dacoity, vehicle and motorcycle snatching, kidnapping and murder cases.

Mr Tikka said the police recovered Rs3 million cash, 25 motorcycles, a tractor, gold and silver ornaments worth millions of rupees. Besides 20kg hashish, he said the police also seized six rifles, five guns, six revolvers, seven carbins, eight pistols and scores of bullets.