MIRPURKHAS, April 1: The Supervising Police Officer (SPO) Khipro was injured in an encounter between police and dacoits at the border of district Mirpurkhas and Sanghar late Monday night.

According to police, three brothers Lakho Rajar, Usman Rajar and Mohammad Urs Rajar were on way when on reaching near Dig Patten dacoits intercepted them and looted gold rings, cell phones, cash Rs4,000 and wrist watches on gunpoint. They were beaten by dacoits on offering resistance and suffered injuries. Later, dacoits escaped in the forest.

On the complaint of brothers, Khai, Khipro and Phuladiyoon police cordoned off the area and routes to arrest dacoits.

On intelligence about the presence of dacoits, SPO Khipro Abdul Latif Pirzado and SHO Khai police Arab Hingorjo along with heavy contingent of police reached the spot and surrounded the hut they were hiding in.

They opened indiscriminate fire on police who retaliated. SPO Khipro Abdul Latif Pirzada was injured as he sustained bullet injuries in the 30-minute encounter. He was rushed to Taluka Hospital Khipro.

Later, he was referred for Liaquat Medical University Hospital Hyderabad.

Police arrested one of the main dacoits Ali Mohammad Machhi and recovered one Kalashnikov, 50 bullets and a magazine from his possession. The other dacoits managed to escape.

Khai police registered cases against the dacoits for attacking police party, looting, and possessing illegal arms.

DPO Sanghar Abdul Ahad said the nabbed dacoit Ali Mohammad Machhi was the ringleader of a gang which was involved in number of dacoities and other crimes in district Sanghar and Mirpurkhas.

PROTEST: Awami Tahreek took out a rally in Kunri town on Tuesday to protest against acute shortage of irrigation water at tail ends of Nara canal.

Protesters were by President Awami Tahreek Kunri Mohammad Ali carried banners and placards, marched through main roads and demanded to supply proper water supply in their canals.