LARKANA, Oct 24: The person allegedly behind the kidnapping of rice trader Santosh Kumar was killed in an encounter in the Sathi Umrani village, near the central prison, on the outskirts of the city on Sunday while his injured accomplice escaped.

DPO Muzaffar Shaikh told this correspondent by telephone that when police tried to intercept a suspect car near the Brohi railway crossing in the city, the riders opened fire and tried to escape. However, police chased them and after some distance, they abandoned the car and took refuge in the village.

Following a fierce encounter, during which one of the culprits managed to flee, police conducted a search of the area and found the body of an outlaw.

The DPO said that according to the profile provided by the Saddar TPO, the killed outlaw was Umar Jatoi, wanted in many cases of ransom, kidnapping and highway robbery.

He confirmed that Umar was the main character behind the kidnapping of Mr Kumar and said investigation was underway to reveal more facts.

The body and the car were kept at the taluka police station, with police claiming that the car belonged to Munir Shahani, former district president of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, who was killed two weeks ago in an encounter in the Naushahro Feroze district.

PROTEST: Labourers employed at a rice mill in Ratodero took out a procession from here on Sunday to protest against payment of low wages to them.

The protesters marched through main streets of the town and later assembled outside the press club.