On August 23, 2024, two police vehicles carrying approximately 22 officers were returning from a police camp in the Machka area of Rahim Yar Khan District, Pakistan. The heavy rains had made the roads extremely muddy causing one of the vehicles to break down. As the police officers were attempting to manage the situation, they were ambushed by dacoits who launched a rocket attack on the stranded vehicles.
The attackers then opened fire on the officers resulting in the death of 11 policemen and injuries to nine others. The death toll from this attack later rose to 12.
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The Katcha area located along the riverine borders of southern Sindh and central Punjab has been a stronghold for organized criminal gangs.
These gangs have been active for decades, engaging in various illegal activities including kidnap forransom operations and highway robberies.
The terrain of the Katcha area by dense forests and difficult to navigate waterways has provided these criminals with a natural hideout. Despite previous military and police operations aimed at eliminating these gangs, they have continued to resurface exploiting the lack of law and order in the region.
The Punjab police in coordination with their counterparts in Sindh launched a massive operation to hunt down the perpetrators.
Over 320 police personnel from Punjab along with additional forces from Sindh were mobilized to carry out the operation in the Katcha area.
The Pakistan police identified the main suspect behind the attack as Bashir Shar. The police managed to locate and kill Bashir Shar. During the operation, five of his accomplices identified as Sanaullah Shar, Gada Ali, Kamlu Shar, Ramzan Shar and Gadi, were also injured.
The Pakistan police have said to continue the operation until all the perpetrators are either apprehended or eliminated.
The deadly ambush and the police operation prompted responses from both provincial and federal governments. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar and other senior officials to personally oversee the situation in Rahim Yar Khan.
Maryam Nawaz also instructed the Punjab Home Secretary to initiate an immediate operation in the Katcha areas with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab taking the lead.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed his provincial police chief to establish close coordination with the Punjab Police and provide any necessary assistance in the operation.
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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saddened by the loss of lives and ordered immediate action against the attackers.
The loss of 12 brave police officers has left a scar on the nation, particularly on the families of the martyred. The funeral prayers for the fallen officers were held in Rahim Yar Khan attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, senior police officials and military leaders.
Tributes were paid to the martyrs with wreaths laid on their coffins before their bodies were sent to their respective hometowns for burial. The nation mourns the loss of these officers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The Sindh government ordered security measures across the province. Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed the police to remain on high alert during Friday prayers.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi released statements expressing sorrow.
The leaders described the slain officers as martyrs, a term often used in Pakistan to honor those who die in the line of duty.
The Kacha area in Rahim Yar Khan has been a stronghold for bandits. These criminals ambush travelers and police forces by utilizing the region’s difficult terrain to their advantage.
This area along the Indus River often referred to as a no-go zone by locals due to the prevalence of armed robberies and other crimes.
Security operations against bandits in this region, as well as in the southern Sindh province are common. Such a high number of police casualties in a single incident is rare.
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