HYDERABAD, Oct 30: Around one dozen bandits on Sunday raided the property of a landlord in the Salamat Keerio village, Matiari district, killed his son-in-law and kidnapped four villagers.

The gang of Jafar Keerio and Badal Keerio, some of whom were wearing police uniforms, attacked the village and started firing, creating panic in the area.

Later, they raided the lands of Chhutto Keerio and killed his son-in-law Allah Bux Keerio, 28. They kidnapped Ali Dino Wassan, Khabar Wassan, Siddique Keerio and Khairo Parhiyar.

After receiving the information, Matiari DPO Mohammad Arab Mahar and TPOs of Hala and Matiari rushed to the spot and cordoned the area as well as the National Highway and link roads. A police party also proceeded towards Shahdadpur in pursuit of the bandits.

The bandits had reportedly come on a pickup loaded with cotton which was later found abandoned due to some mishap. The pickup had earlier been reportedly hijacked from near Bhitshah.

Reports said the gang had attacked the village four times before also due to enmity with Chhutto Keerio.

The bandits before leaving warned the villagers not to cultivate the lands of Chhutto Keerio, otherwise they would have to face consequences.

DEMAND: The Shaikh Bhirkio union council, Tando Mohammad Khan district, at its first meeting held on Saturday protested against non-payment of three-month salaries to 21 employees of the union council.

It warned that if the salary of the employees was not released immediately, members of the union council would launch a protest movement against the DCO from Nov 1.

The meeting said the employees should be paid their salaries before Eid.

Union council naib nazim Amir Haider Shah briefed the meeting about previous and ongoing development schemes.