Dacoits on Thursday gunned down eight persons and injured three in Kalinjar town of Banda district in southern Uttar Pradesh.

According to information reaching the state police headquarters in Lucknow, the victims were part of a marriage party returning from Panna in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

"They were intercepted by the armed bandits when they halted to offer prayers at a Shiva temple near the ancient Kalinjar fort. The dacoits forced them out of their vehicle, ordered them to line up in a row and shot them," a senior police official said.

The Dadua gang is suspected to be behind the crime as he is known to operate in the area.

Dadua carries a reward of Rs 300,000 on his head (Rs 200,000 by the UP government and Rs 100,000 by the Madhya Pradesh government).

He is believed to be operating with impunity on the basis of his alleged clout among politicians of all shades.

In 2001, his brother had contested the panchayat election on a BSP ticket.