DADU: A gang of dacoits robbed a local shopkeeper of his motorcycle and valuable belongings in broad daylight on Mangwani Road near Mehar town on Friday and opened fire at him and his helper when he put up resistance.

The shopkeeper Saleem Chandio died on the spot while a young boy Bashir Chandio, who was a pillion rider with him, miraculouslyescaped unhurt.

Eyewitnesses said that Saleem recognised the dacoits during the robbery and entreated them to leave him as they belonged to the same area.

They said the robbers shot him dead upon hearing this and fled with his new CD motorcycle, mobile phone, cash and other valuable belongings.Dispute over jurisdiction between Mehar, Mado and Khairpur Nathan Shah police stations delayed police response to the incident and the victim`s body remained at Mehar hospital for five hours without a post mortem, sparking protests by the victim`s family who staged a sit-in outside the hospital gate. Police later conducted raids in several villages and detained five suspects.-Correspondent