THATTA, June 18: Five heirs of three villagers who died fighting a gang of  bandits in 2009 received a total  of Rs1 million reward from SSP of Thatta Usman Ghani Siddiqui at a ceremony held at his office the other day.

Laung Soorjo, a dacoit carrying Rs1 million head money, who had been operating  in Thatta forests and was involved in cases of kidnap for ransom and other heinous crimes stormed the farm of Munawar Hilayo near Keenjhar Lake on  the National Highway but faced strong resistance from villagers.

In the ensuing shootout, Laung Soorjo and his  two companions died and   villagers Amir Bux Mari, Allah Bachayo Halepoto and Ghulam Ali Khaskheli also lost their lives.

The SSP on behalf of Sindh government presented Rs400,000 and Rs150,000   to Chanesar Mari and Maula Bux Mari, sons of Amir Bux, and Rs150,000 each to Mohammad Urs, son of Allah Bachayo Halepoto, and  Ms Mithi and Ms Sajjan, daughters of Ghulam Ali Khaskheli, respectively.