KARACHI, March 17: At least six dacoits were killed and 10 were arrested in the anti-dacoit operation being carried out in Sukkur range, while four dacoits and six policemen were killed in encounters in Karachi during an ongoing drive here.

According to sources, 39 encounters took place between police and dacoits during the campaign in the Sukkur range and the police recovered 22 persons who had been kidnapped for ransom.

The police seized 42 kalashnikovs, 110 shotguns, 13 rifles, nine revolvers, 121 pistols, 1,669 rounds and 477 cartridges by March 11.

During the operation, the police arrested 130 proclaimed offenders, 1,340 absconders, 13 Patharedars and nine kidnappers, including Manzoor Machi, involved in 38 cases. The Sindh government had announced a reward of Rs500,000 on his arrest or elimination.

Talking to APP on Sunday, Sindh Police Inspector-General Syed Kamal Shah said the operation, that started on Jan 1, would continue till all the gangs in the range were busted and the criminals brought to justice.

He said that all the kidnapped persons had been recovered.

He said the dacoits in the Kutcha area of the Indus had been surrounded and they were surrendering. In this regard, he referred to surrender by three dacoits three days back.

The Karachi police have busted 21 gangs of dacoits and criminals in their ongoing three-month-long operation.

According to police sources, 275 criminals, 50 proclaimed offenders and 239 absconders have been arrested.

They said 36 encounters took place, in which four dacoits were killed, six policemen lost their lives and five were injured.

The police had by March 10 seized 489 weapons — 11 SMGs, 425 pistols, 11 rockets, one shotgun, one hand grenade, five mousers, four carbines, 23 revolvers and four repeaters.—APP