SUKKUR, Dec 1: A notorious bandit carrying head money of Rs.0.5 million has been arrested by police after a brief encounter in Hayat Pitafi village in Ghotki district on Wednesday evening.

According to SPO Mirpur Mathelo, Mohsin Raza, Bano Bagh area of the village was raided on information that Mitho Pitafi, involved in kidnapping, murders and highway robberies, was staying there with his accomplices.

The area was cordoned and Mitho was asked to surrender but he refused and an encounter ensued. The bandit, however, gave in to police after a brief gunbattle.

A Kalashnikov, four magazines and a sizable quantity of ammunition was also recovered from his possession.

Independent sources, meanwhile, claimed that no encounter took place and the bandit surrendered voluntarily after a deal with the police.