Provincial Government Replaces Top Police Command in Rahim Yar Khan Following Deadly Attack
Punjab Government Offers Up to Rs10 Million Bounties for Kacha Dacoits Following Deadly Attack
Lahore:
In response to the escalating violence from kacha dacoits, the Punjab government has announced substantial bounties for their capture. This new initiative, aimed at curbing the persistent threat from these criminals, offers up to Rs10 million for information leading to the capture of the most dangerous dacoits.
The Punjab government’s notification, released on Friday, outlines a tiered reward system. The highest bounty of Rs10 million is offered for high-value targets, while Rs5 million and Rs2.5 million rewards are available for lower-category bandits. This move is part of a broader strategy to restore peace in the region, which has long struggled with the menace of kacha dacoits despite extensive and costly operations.
This decision comes in the wake of a devastating attack that occurred the previous day. A police van was ambushed with rockets, resulting in the deaths of over 12 police officers and leaving several others injured. The Punjab government has responded by overhauling the police leadership in Rahim Yar Khan, the district most affected by the violence.
The District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Ahmed Malik, Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Javed Akhtar Jatoi, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kaleem Ahmad have been reassigned to the Central Police Office. In their place, Rizwan Omer Gondal has been appointed as the new DPO of Rahim Yar Khan. Gondal, who previously served as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Lahore, brings experience from the recent joint anti-kacha bandit operation conducted by both Sindh and Punjab police forces.
Despite significant financial investment, including over Rs4 billion spent on joint operations by Sindh and Punjab police last year, the issue of kacha bandits remains unresolved. These criminals often evade capture during operations, only to return with increased strength. The persistent problem has prompted the Punjab government to intensify efforts against these bandits.
The recent attack resulted in the loss of police officers’ lives, and a funeral was held to honor them. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal, and Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Police Dr Usman Anwar attended the ceremony. Mengal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing the outlaws, stating, “The sacrifices of our martyrs will not go in vain. The operation against the Kacha bandits will continue until the area is completely rid of these criminals.”
Following the funeral, Mengal visited the attack site and the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan, where he met with injured officers. He assured them of the government’s support and emphasized that efforts would be ramped up to address the ongoing security challenges.
Dr Usman Anwar, Punjab IG Police, praised the bravery of the Punjab Police and acknowledged the challenges faced from terrorists and bandits in the Kacha area. He confirmed that the operation against the kacha bandits is ongoing and has been intensified with the deployment of additional CTD and police forces.
In a significant development, the Punjab police announced the death of Bashir Shar, the main suspect behind the recent rocket attack. Shar was killed in a retaliatory operation by both Punjab and Sindh police forces. The coordinated effort involved 320 personnel from Punjab and additional forces from Sindh. The police confirmed that Shar’s death also resulted in injuries to five of his accomplices: Sanaullah Shar, Gada Ali, Kamlu Shar, Ramzan Shar, and Gadi.
As part of the government’s strategy to tackle the kacha bandit threat, there are plans to deploy advanced technology and additional resources to support the ongoing operations. The focus remains on ensuring that the region is secured and that those responsible for violence are brought to justice.