DERA GHAZI KHAN: Three people, an SHO among them, was gunned down in an armed clash between bandits of Pat gang and locals at Mauza Mandhri of Rujhan tehsil, about 200 kilometres off here, in Rajanpur.

Sources told Dawn that the gangsters came to Mauza Mandhri and started looting cattle, cash and other valuables from the residents. Some people put up resistance which led to en exchange of fire. Police also reached the spot and an encounter ensued which resulted in killing of Mazari Ghot SHO Sajjad Ahmedani and two other persons.

Some people were injured in the clash that was going on till last reports came in.

When this correspondent tried to contact Rajanpur District Police Officer Attique Ahmed, the operator said he had gone to the place where a shootout was under way. He confirmed one police officer had died in operation against the bandits.