THATTA, March 6: A chronic patient of urinary tract infection died and a large number of passengers were deprived of cash and valuables when highwaymen held them hostage for an hour near the Barrage Mori area on Thatta-Badin highway on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses said that four youngsters of Umrani clan were among the victims who were thrashed and looted by the dacoits.

The relatives of the chronic patient Jamal Umrani, 20, told the bandits that he was in a critical condition and they were in hurry to reach a hospital in Thatta.

However, the dacoits kept them detained at gunpoint and the patient was also ruthlessly beaten by the dacoits which resulted in his death on the spot.

The dacoits also looted cash, gold ornaments, cellphones and other valuables from passengers of various vehicles during their one hour looting.