NAWABSHAH / RAHIM YAR KHAN: In the wake of a brutal attack that claimed the lives of 12 policemen in the Machka area, the Sindh and Punjab governments have vowed to take decisive action against the outlaws in the challenging Katcha region.
On Saturday, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar announced that a “massive clean-up operation” would be launched in the Katcha area as soon as floodwaters recede. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, during her visit to the families of the martyred policemen in Rahim Yar Khan, promised to find a “permanent solution” to the persistent law and order issues in the area.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Qazi Ahmed police station, Mr. Lanjar praised the police department’s progress in its efforts against the dacoits. Earlier, he chaired a meeting at the Shaheed Benazirabad DIG office to assess the law and order situation, where he emphasized that protecting citizens’ lives and property is the government’s top priority. He also warned that strict action would be taken against any police officers or government officials found involved in criminal activities.
During her visit to Rahim Yar Khan, CM Maryam Nawaz admitted that the attack on Thursday was a “security lapse” and pledged to rectify the situation to prevent such incidents in the future. She expressed her condolences to the families of the martyred officers and assured them that their children would receive free education, housing, and jobs. She also visited the Sheikh Zayed Hospital to meet the injured policemen, affirming that the attackers would not go unpunished.
The 12 fallen officers were identified as Mohammad Imran, Rashid, Sajid, Ahmed, Zahid, Munir, Nazir Abbas, Ins Sattar, Abdullah, Ajay Ram, Bairam Ram, and Raja Kanwal.
In a controversial move, the Punjab government has increased the head money for the most-wanted dacoits in the Katcha area from Rs1 million to Rs10 million. High-resolution pictures and names of the 20 most-wanted dacoits have been released, with a WhatsApp number provided for informants. However, some government officials have questioned the effectiveness of this strategy, noting that law enforcement agencies are already aware of the criminals’ whereabouts and should be responsible for capturing them.
Adding to the tension, the dacoits released a video showing a policeman in their custody, in which he pleads with his family and the government to meet the kidnappers’ demands to secure his release, warning that he would be killed if they failed to do so.
