Five people were killed and another three, including a policeman, kidnapped in the Shikarpur district of the Sindh province in 24 hours, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Tuesday.

Gunmen abducted policeman Nasrullah Jatoi when he was on his way to a post in the Kot Shahu police precincts in the Kachha Area where gangs of robbers rule the roost.

Another two persons, identified as Allah Dahwayo Tighani and Muhammad Rahim, were also abducted in the same area.

A heavy contingent of police have been called in to secure the release of the police.

A couple of months ago, the Punjab police launched a grand operation against robbers in Punjab parts of the Katcha Area.

According to police top gun, intelligence-based op against the outlaws was already in progress as kidnap-for-ransom cases increased this year. More than 11,000 police personnel took part in the action.

A few days ago, the chief minister told the media that 80 per cent area has been cleared of the outlaws. He heaped praise on the police's bravery.