SHIKARPUR, July 27: Fifteen outlaws were arrested by Rangers during raids in six villages in the Lakhi taluka on Tuesday. A heavy contingent of the Shahbaz Rangers raided Rajab Tarat Jatoi, Dadlo Tarat Jatoi, Alam Shar and three other villages on complaints that outlaws were hiding there.

On seeing the law-enforcement agency personnel, outlaws opened fire which was returned by the Rangers. The outlaws arrested after the exchange of fire included Abdul Wahab Jatoi, Ghulam Sarwar Tarat Jatoi, Ramzan Shar, Manthar Shar, Saindad Tarat Jatoi, Peerano Tarat Jatoi, Mir Hassan Shar, Dilbar Shar, Qabil Shar and Ghulam Kharos.

The Rangers set 40 houses on fire and bulldozed 30 others where the outlaws were reportedly hiding. Two kalashnikovs, eight shotguns, three rifles, two pistols and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from the possession of the arrested bandits.

PPP PROTEST: A token hunger strike was observed here on Tuesday by activists of the People's Party Parliamentarians and the Sindh People's Students Federation at the Lakhi Gate Tower Chowk to protest against continued detention of Asif Ali Zardari and registration of false cases against him and Benazir Bhutto. They were led by Wahid Bux Khan Bhayo, Naseer Ahmad Lodhi, Barkat Ali Bhutto, Syed Bahar Shah and Gural Das.