LARKANA, July 30: A policeman died and five others fainted in Banhree forest near Naudero on Wednesday due to sudden rise in temperature and suffocation after they torched the forest to catch criminals during the ongoing anti-dacoit operation.

Policemen Abdul Qadir Chandio, Nasrullah, Deedar Ali, Irshad Jakhro and another policeman fell unconscious while Mohammad Jumman Kalhoro died of suffocation. They were shifted to Naudero and Chandka Medical College Hospital.

Earlier, police got information that dacoits--Mubeen Narejo, Wishoon Chandio, Sado Narejo, Mastro Narejo and others--had reassembled at the house of a notorious dacoit, Budho Sarki, in the Sarifpur forest.

Acting on the tip-off, Larkana DPO Sultan Khwaja reached near the house with police party where an encounter with dacoits took place.Police and dacoits traded heavy gunfire which forced the dacoits to escape. The dacoits took shelter in the Banhree forest. Police burnt the forest.Due to the heat, smoke and rising flames Mohammad Jumman Kalhoro died of suffocation while five other policemen fainted.

The dacoits managed too escape.

Two police vans and armoured personnel carrier which were trapped inside the forest were later safely recovered, sources said. The dacoits fled away and police returned after closing the anti-dacoits operation.

Our Sukkur correspondent adds: Ghotki police have bulldozed hideouts of wanted criminals and claimed to have arrested two most wanted criminals during raids in Suhandro Bozdar and Gopo Pitafi villages near Mirpur Mathelo on Wednesday.