SUKKUR, Jan 13: Bandits on Monday night kidnapped eight persons, including six police officials, in the jurisdiction of Durrani Mehar police station.

According to reports, the bandits had initially raided the Kara Pattan area, near Kandhkot, kidnapping two persons, Arz Mohammad and Faiz Mohammad Chachar, before fleeing to the Kutcha area.

An encounter ensued when the SHO of Durrani Mehar police station, Mohammad Alam Bhangar, along with five policemen, pursued the bandits.

The dacoits succeeded in taking all of the policemen, including the SHO, hostage before fleeing towards the dense forest.

The police officials, who were kidnapped, were identified as: the SHO of the Durrani Mehar police station, Mohammad Alam Bhangar, ASI Ahmed Yar Bajkani, head constable Wali Mohammad, police constables, Long Nasirani, Yar Mohammad and Mohammad Amin Bhayo.

The kidnapping of two villagers and six policemen has caused panic and harassment to spread in the area.

Later, police reinforcements cordoned off the area, where the bandits are believed to have kept their victims as hostages.

ASSURANCE: The governor of Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ibad, on Sunday assured the chairman of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Bashir Khan Qureshi, that the killers of Dr Mumtaz Khoso would be arrested within 48 hours.

He gave this assurance on a telephonic conversation with Mr Bashir from the residence of Dr Mumtaz, where Qureshi had gone to offer his condolence.