DADU: Three dacoits were killed and one police constable was injured critically in an encounter between Johi town police and dacoits on the Johi link road in the city on Wednesday, some 20km away from Dadu city.

According to Dadu SSP retired captain Raza Hyder, three dacoits led by Hafeez Mallah snatched a motorcycle from a citizen, Abid Leghari.

He raised a hue and cry, and drew the attention of a local police mobile on patrol. An encounter began between police and dacoits in which three dacoits died on the spot and a police constable sustained injuries.

The dead were identified as Hafeez Mallah, Ghaffar Jamali and Hidyatullah while the injured constable was Ali Nawaz Gopang.

The SSP said police had recovered the snatched motorcycle, three pistols and bullets from their possession.

He said Hafeez Mallah carried Rs1 million head money. He said 34 cases were registered against him at different police stations in Dadu district.

He said the condition of the injured police constable was serious as he had received three bullets and was shifted to Karachi for treatment.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2019