Katcha bandits: Why has the Pakistan government failed to eliminate them?

[FearlessRoar]

Among other nuisances that Pakistan is currently plagued with, the escalating cases of katcha (riverine areas) dacoit have lately engaged the country’s law enforcement and spread mental and emotional harassment among people. The menace poses a serious threat to people by luring them into certain traps. These can range from men enticed into stimulating friendships by women, or in other cases, falling trap to monetary or other material incentives through deceitful means. As the victims proceed towards the guided physical locations, they are kidnapped and a hefty ransom is demanded of their families. Cases reported by local news agencies reveal that these dacoits are based in northern and central parts of Sindh and operate across the country, but mainly in Sindh and Punjab.

Katcha dacoit cases have been prevalent over the last few years, but they have been soaring since last year. In 2019, the Sindh and Punjab police collaboratively launched a crackdown in the provinces locating the criminals’ hideouts. However, there is a dire need for the operation to not only accelerate, but also improve the efficacy of the targets. In addition to citizens’ safety and the general law and order situation of the country, an improved systematic operation is required that addresses the protection and security of law enforcement personnel.

A number of police officers are reported to have been killed an injured in counter-shootouts, which is a serious hazard to how fast the security forces are falling in numbers. Not that the system lacks a sound mechanism to ensure security personnel’s safety, but strengthening the crackdown alone can foil the mushrooming of the menace.

Katcha areas in Sindh cities like Karachi, Larkana, Sukkur and Thatta must be evacuated, as these areas become hiding grounds for dacoits when an operation cleans up a katcha area from their hub in Interior Sindh. However, clean-up operations in Karachi frequently face resistance from local authorities that claim developmental work in progress in these areas. While police superintendents from certain areas of Sindh and Punjab have vaguely hinted at the presence of masterminds of dacoit groups, it becomes imperative that these be targeted. This will add another strategic step to the crackdown and prevent the proliferation of dacoit groups in other parts of the country where at this stage, channels exist to facilitate the supply of weapons to dacoit groups.

Combatting Katcha dacoits | The Express Tribune

Menace poses a serious threat to people by luring them into certain traps

tribune.com.pk

Are Sindh and Punjab police capable enough to eradicate these Katcha dacoits forever?

 

[FearlessRoar]

Sindh govt to seek army’s support in katcha area operation

Speaking to ARY News, Sindh Minister for Department of Energy, Planning and Development Nasir Hussain Shah said that Sindh police and Rangers have begun preparations to kick off an operation against the bandits in the katcha areas.

The provincial government will seek support from the Pakistan Army during the operation against criminals, he added.

Shah said that Rangers have made sacrifices in the fight to maintain law and order in the province. The paramilitary force has worked with the police to fight crime in the past and is still working with the police in Karachi, he added.

He went on to add that the Sindh police force’s officials have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Sindh government appointed officers in the police department to improve the law and order situation in the province.

His statement came soon after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) castigated the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government over the increasing crime rate across Sindh, especially Karachi.

Addressing a press conference here, MQM-P leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan demanded equal powers for Rangers throughout the province.

Talking about the appointment of Ghulam Nabi Memon as Sindh Inspector General (IG), he alleged that the provincial government had “blackmailed” the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in order to appoint someone of their own choosing.

Hassan alleged, “They [dacoits] have been given the licence to kill after the appointment of the Sindh IG, the home minister and the chief minister.”

On MQM-P leaders’ criticism of the Sindh government, Minister Nasir Hussain Shah termed Hassan’s statement a mere “political rhetoric”.

Shah also questioned the reason behind the MQM-P’s criticism of IG Ghulam Nabi Memon, saying that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has tasked the IG and AIG Sindh to ensure peace and order in the province.

On Hasan’s claim that the provincial government had “blackmailed” the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to appoint someone of their choosing, the minister said that the MQM-P leader seemed like a “PML-N spokesperson”.

He, however, ensured that the Sindh government would ensure the maintenance of law and order in the province.

It is pertinent to mention that Rangers have also sought policing powers across Sindh to fight rising crimes in the province.

During a meeting at the Sindh High Court (SHC) regarding the law and order situation a day earlier, the DG Rangers urged for giving policing powers to the paramilitary force as given in Karachi to fight terrorism in the past.

The meeting was presided over by SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi where he directed concerned authorities to ensure peace and order in Sindh within a month.

Sindh govt to seek army's support in katcha area operation

KARACHI: The Sindh government will seek support from the Pakistan Army as it prepares to initiate an action against the dacoits in the katcha areas, ARY

arynews.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

Why is Sindh police not well-equipped to battle these dacoits? This is a big question mark on Sindh police management and the Sindh government

 

[Cricket Warrior]

How can we expect the Sindh police to handle these bandits when many of them operate under the protection of these goons? They have an equal share in the wrongdoing.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Why is Sindh police not well-equipped to battle these dacoits? This is a big question mark on Sindh police management and the Sindh government

This has been going throughout the country. The rate of phone/email scams has become increasingly high. It's not just limited to collect your new phone, but I have experienced it on Indeed while applying for jobs. They will ask you to easypaisa this much amount for a so called test and "screenshot them the receipt". Whoever says screenshot the receipt and send is 100% a scammer. Thankfully I had checked the provided address and found it to not be existing on any map beforehand.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Sindh Police have started deploying Rapid Response Force (RRF) in the dacoit-infested riverine forests of the Kacha area of Sindh along the banks of Indus River.

Sindh Reserve Police have been merged into RRF for deployment at outposts in the sensitive areas of Kacha with all facilities, said Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon replying to a query by The Express Tribune.

Sindh police have changed their strategy to control dacoits of Kacha in sensitive districts including Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur and Sukkur, the top cop of the province said.

IG Memon said an important meeting of RRF senior officers and DIGs and SSPs posted in the districts has also been held in this regard and the officers have been instructed to identify the points to deploy the force.

Memon said that the police have taken on board Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Home Minister Sindh Ziaul Hasan Lanjar regarding RRF deployment in sensitive areas and at the entry and exit points of Shikarpur and Sukkur to break the network strong and organised groups of dacoits.

Apart from this, modern mobiles and armoured personnel carrier will also be provided to the districts.

IG Memon said legal and departmental action will be taken against police officers or officials for facilitating robbers and action will also be taken against DIG and SSP of the zone.

According to Sindh Police records, 81 people have been kidnapped in Larkana range this year and cases have also been registered against them. According to police records, 15 businessmen and citizens have been abducted in Ghotki, 12 in Shikarpur and 26 in Kashmore and their cases have also been registered in which 59 people have been recovered so far and 28 cases of abductin have been registyered so far.

Similarly, there is an organized network of dacoits in the districts of Ghotki and Sukkur in the Sukkur range. More than 25 people have been kidnapped in Ghotki so far this year. In the past, it has been common that Sindh Police bargain with the daciots of Kacha areas and manage for the release of hostages and ransom money was also provided by the officers of the Sindh Police to release the hostages.

Source: The Express Tribune

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Interior Ministry to launch joint operation in Katcha areas of Sindh

Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, after consultation with all stakeholders in the interior ministry, decided to conduct a joint operation in Katcha area of Sindh, with full force to clear the area from dacoits.

An important meeting of the National Action Plan Implementation Review Committee was held at NACTA headquarters here on Friday under the chairmanship of the Interior Minister which was attended by Federal Interior Secretary, Head NACTA, DG FIA, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

IGs and provincial secretaries Interior besides National Coordinator NACTA, all teams of National Action Plan and Intelligence agencies and Chief Commissioners also attended the meeting.

The top brass after detailed consultation, decided to conduct a joint operation in the Katcha area with full force and close coordination between the provinces and all stake holders to clear the area from dacoits.

The meeting also carefully reviewed the measures taken regarding the security of Chinese citizens while all the IGs gave a detailed briefing on security and safety measures for Chinese citizens in Pakistan.

The meeting also decided to restrict the movement of those tourists who do not follow the prescribed SOPs. The meeting also reviewed the foolproof security arrangements in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad during the Iranian President’s visit.

“Any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated at all”, said Mohsin Naqvi and added that strict disciplinary action will be taken for negligence in implementing the SOPs for the protection of foreign nationals.

The minister said that to eradicate terrorism, institutions should be equipped with modern technology while the Federation will provide all possible support to the provinces in this regard.

The minister said that Good progress has been made in the last few months to prevent smuggling and it has reduced substantially. All institutions must ensure strict legal action against smugglers with a common strategy, he directed.


ARY News

 

[FearlessRoar]

Suspect killed, one arrested in LEAs operation in Kashmore katcha area​

In a joint operation by the rangers and police in Kashmore’s katcha area a suspect killed, and accomplice arrested, a spokesman said in a statement here on Sunday.

A spokesman of rangers said that an accused Saeen Bux was killed and his accomplice Illahi Bux was arrested in a joint raid by the rangers and police in Khair Shah area of Kashmore.

Four members of the gang Raheem Bux, Mollan Sabzoi, Bhai Golo and Khalid Golo fled from the scene, spokesman said. “Arms, munitions and four motorbikes were also recovered from accused”.

Spokesman said that the accused were wanted in murder, attempt to murder, robbery and other crimes.

All hideouts and bunkers of the gang were demolished in the katcha area.

Katch area stretches over hundreds of thousands of acres from Kashmore to Dadu on the banks the Indus River in Sindh and Punjab’s southern belt. The outlaws and wanted involved in tribal disputes uesed to escape to the area when fleeing justice.

Suspect killed, one arrested in LEAs operation in Kashmore katcha area

KARACHI: In a joint operation by the rangers and police in Kashmore's katcha area a suspect killed, and accomplice arrested, a spokesman said in a

arynews.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

On one side there are external threats and on the other this has also become a sore for Pakistan.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Policemen abducted by Katcha area dacoits recovered

Two police personnel who were abducted by Katcha area (riverine area) dacoits have been recovered from Ghotki, ARY News reported citing police.

According to the details, the two cops have been recovered along with their service weapons. The two policemen were abducted from the post along with their service weapons the other day by the Katcha area dacoits.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ghotki said that the Katcha area dacoits had attacked the police post and kidnapped two cops within the limits of Sundarani police station. The SSP said that a dacoit was killed in police retaliation while a cop also embraced martyrdom.

The SSP said that in the recovery operation, the police party surrounded the Katcha area dacoits in Ghotki who released the abductees under police pressure.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar appreciated the police department on safe recovery of the abducted cops. In a statement, the home minister appreciated the courage and bravery of the police party conducted the operation.

Policemen abducted by Katcha area dacoits recovered

GHOTKI: Two police personnel who were abducted by Katcha area (riverine area) dacoits have been recovered from Ghotki, ARY News reported citing police.

arynews.tv

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Two notorious dacoits were killed in fierce clash between forces and a gang of katcha area in joint operation of police and Ranges on Sindh-Punjab boarder.

According to the report, notorious dacoit Alam Shar and his accomplice who were members of the Shar Gang were killed by retaliatory firing of the forces.

Police said that the dacoits also fired rocket launchers at the police in the fight between forces and the notorious dacoit gang of Sanu Shar.

Punjab Police, Sindh Police and Rangers are conducting operation of dacoits together, police said. The targeted operation is being conducted to recover the hostages, police added.

More police force has been called and fire fighting continued between the robbers and the police forces.

Meanwhile, Police and Rangers have started a joint operation against dacoits in the katcha area of Gahilpur and Kashmore to recover the hostages.

A heavy contingent of police and Rangers has cordoned off the katcha area while the entry and exit routes of the katcha have also been sealed. Police sources said APC chain armoured vehicles are also participating in the operation.

During the operation, firing continues between forces and robbers.

Police sources said that Ronti’s katcha dacoits will try to escape from Kashmore’s katcha area and will be arrested.

Bugti tribe volunteer squad has come to help the police in katcha area of Deharki as Bugti tribe squad equipped with modern weapons has become part of the operation to revenge the killing of Bugti Sardar.

According to police sources, four months ago while travelling on the Sukkur-Multan Motorway where bandits killed Sardar Abdul Rahman Bugti during a robbery and injured three of his close relatives.

For this reason, more than a dozen armed men of the Bugti tribes have started an operation in katacha with the help of police.

Police said that a Bugti squad has attacked the dacoit’s dens and killed a dacoit Alam Shar and injured his partner. Meanwhile, two volunteers have also been injured.

Source: Business Recorder

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Two notorious dacoits were killed in fierce clash between forces and a gang of katcha area in joint operation of police and Ranges on Sindh-Punjab boarder.

According to the report, notorious dacoit Alam Shar and his accomplice who were members of the Shar Gang were killed by retaliatory firing of the forces.

Police said that the dacoits also fired rocket launchers at the police in the fight between forces and the notorious dacoit gang of Sanu Shar.

Punjab Police, Sindh Police and Rangers are conducting operation of dacoits together, police said. The targeted operation is being conducted to recover the hostages, police added.

More police force has been called and fire fighting continued between the robbers and the police forces.

Meanwhile, Police and Rangers have started a joint operation against dacoits in the katcha area of Gahilpur and Kashmore to recover the hostages.

A heavy contingent of police and Rangers has cordoned off the katcha area while the entry and exit routes of the katcha have also been sealed. Police sources said APC chain armoured vehicles are also participating in the operation.

During the operation, firing continues between forces and robbers.

Police sources said that Ronti’s katcha dacoits will try to escape from Kashmore’s katcha area and will be arrested.

Bugti tribe volunteer squad has come to help the police in katcha area of Deharki as Bugti tribe squad equipped with modern weapons has become part of the operation to revenge the killing of Bugti Sardar.

According to police sources, four months ago while travelling on the Sukkur-Multan Motorway where bandits killed Sardar Abdul Rahman Bugti during a robbery and injured three of his close relatives.

For this reason, more than a dozen armed men of the Bugti tribes have started an operation in katacha with the help of police.

Police said that a Bugti squad has attacked the dacoit’s dens and killed a dacoit Alam Shar and injured his partner. Meanwhile, two volunteers have also been injured.

Source: Business Recorder

It should be cleared within days but now it seems like these dacoits are giving a real tough time to our security agencies which shows how weak our state is.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Armed men kill two farmers, abduct one in Khairpur katcha area

Armed men attacked farmers working at agriculture land in Faiz Muhammad village in katcha area near Pir Jo Goth.

The attackers shot dead two persons identified as Abdul Shakoor and Sanaullah. They also abducted another person and fled from the scene.

The katcha area of Khairpur district has also become insecure after Ghotki, Shikarpur and Kandhkot districts of Sindh owing to armed gangs operating in the area.

“Police contingent has been dispatched to the place of the incident,” SSP Khairpur Zubair Nazeer Shaikh said. “We are trying to recover the hostage from the kidnappers,” he added.

The law-and-order situation of katcha area, the riverine forests along the banks of Indus River, is worsening with every passing day as the gangs of dacoits continue to abduct people for ransom, while the police department has failed to maintain law and order.

Armed men kill two farmers, abduct one in Khairpur katcha area

KHAIRPUR: A gang of armed men killed two persons and abducted another in katcha area of Khairpur district, ARY News reported on Wednesday. Armed men

arynews.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

This isn't a matter for the police, the army should conduct an operation against them

 

[mazkhan]

All baloch dacoits from punjab sindh balochistan border.

Destroy them

Takeover the land and sell it to Saudis and China who can do some productive farming on it .

These people have had their chance to do a honest days work but in pakistan.

Chinese and Saudis will do something productive .

They've already turned xianjiang into one of the hi tech textile regions and turned a desert into one of the most productive areas in cotton etc .

Whilst our idiots are blessed with five rivers and monsoon and the situation is worse than Somalia.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It's a bit of an indictment that a country which is ruled by the military can't handle some organised bandits. If this was some bleeding heart liberal democratic regime in the west we would be laughing at it, yet in a country where people who protest against the regime are quietly disappeared, here we have genuine criminal gangs running riot.

Seems like law and order is only for people who say critical stuff about the establishment.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Katcha area criminals killed in Karachi encounter

Sher Ali alias Piyaro and Zulfiqar alias Zulfi, killed in encounter with police in Karachi this morning, were linked with a katcha area gang of bandits in interior of Sindh, police officials said.

These criminals had organized a group in Karachi and committing crimes in the port city.

“They had recently killed an industrialist Asif Balwani in Defence area,” police said. Both accused killed today and their other accomplices were involved in the Balwani’s murder and key evidence found in this respect, police officials said.

Police has found videos of the slain accused, in which they were seen committing crimes. “They can be identified in these videos,” police said.

They were coming from the Sindh’s interior areas to commit crimes in Karachi. “The gang has been comprised of 10 to 15 members,” police said.

They have been booked in various criminal cases in interior of Sindh and Karachi, police said. They were involved in house robberies as well as snatching money from people drawing cash from banks.

Katcha area criminals killed in Karachi encounter

KARACHI: Two robbers killed in encounter with police in Defence area of the city were found to be most wanted to the law enforcement agencies, ARY News

arynews.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

11 cops martyred as bandits fire rockets at police mobile vans in Rahim Yar Khan

At least 11 policemen were martyred and seven sustained injuries after kacha bandits attacked their vans with rockets in a riverine area of Punjab’s Rahim Yar Khan on Thursday.

The horrific attack occurred in the Machka area located in one of Rahim Yar Khan’s riverine areas.

Police officials told the media that two police vans with more than 20 cops were trapped in rainwater in the locality when bandits launched rockets at them.

As a result of the fierce attack, nearly a dozen cops were martyred while seven others were wounded and four went missing, the police added

11 cops martyred as bandits fire rockets at police mobile vans in Rahim Yar Khan

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least 11 policemen were martyred and seven sustained injuries after kacha bandits attacked their vans with rockets in a riverine area of Punjab’s Rahim Yar Khan on Thursday.The horrific attack...

www.geo.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

Govt offers Rs 10 million bounty for Katcha area dacoits

The initiative is part of an intensified crackdown on criminals, particularly those involved in violent crimes against law enforcement.

According to the announcement, a reward of Rs 5 million has been set for the capture of most wanted bandits, while Rs 2.5 million will be awarded for the arrest of other bandits and terrorists.

Maryam Nawaz stressed the government’s commitment to bringing terrorists who have attacked police personnel to justice.

This decision follows the tragic Katcha Machchka incident, which led to a strong response from the Punjab Police.

In a recent operation, the Punjab Police apprehended the main suspect involved in the attack on police officials, identified as Bashir Sher.

A police spokesman confirmed that Bashir Sher, who was one of the key figures in the attack, was killed in a late-night police operation in Katcha area.

During the same operation, five of Bashir Sher’s accomplices were injured. The injured suspects include Sanaullah Shar, Gada Ali, Kamloshar, Ramzan Shar, and Gadi.

Inspector General (IG) Punjab stated that the operation against the Katcha area dacoits involved in the attack on police personnel is underway, and all those responsible will be brought to justice.

Govt offers Rs 10 million bounty for Katcha area dacoits

LAHORE: Following the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has announced a bounty of Rs 10 million on the heads of

arynews.tv

 

[Kianig89]

So there is TTP, Katcha party, liberals, Gang wars & corrupt elite. Yet all eyes on PTI

 

[BouncerGuy]

So there is TTP, Katcha party, liberals, Gang wars & corrupt elite. Yet all eyes on PTI

Nobody cares about these entities. Katcha decoits should be neutralized by the military forces but so far we have seen no development.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Abducted constable rescued after kacha dacoit operation in Rahim Yar Khan​

A policeman kidnapped by kacha dacoits from Rahim Yar Khan's riverine Machka area two days ago has been rescued by the Punjab Police in an operation, a spokesperson announced on Sunday.

On Thursday, a group of kacha bandits blew up two police vehicles with a rocket in Machka, martyring 12 cops and wounding six others.

Constable Ahmed Nawaz was abducted by robbers heavily armed with sophisticated modern weaponry after the attack on police mobile.

In a statement, Rizwan Omar Gondal, District Police Officer (DPO) Rahim Yar Khan, said that the police department was working with full strength in the riverine areas.

Constable Nawaz was reportedly released in exchange for dacoit Jabbar Lolai, who had been in police custody, according to sources cited by Geo News. However, the police have neither confirmed nor denied this exchange.

A video circulating on social media showed kacha bandits celebrating with gunfire following the release of their accomplice.

After Nawaz’s release, Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar met with the constable's family to inform them of his safe return.

Dr Anwar stated that every member of the Punjab Police was crucial to the force, and Nawaz's recovery was a top priority for his department. He also emphasised that the Punjab Police were prepared to deal firmly with terrorists, assailants, and criminals.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appreciated the police on a successful operation in kacha to safely recover the abducted constable.

She praised DPO Gondal and his team, saying they had done a commendable job. She expressed her best wishes for Constable Nawaz and his family, and said: "We thank Allah Almighty for his safe recovery."

Bandit groups in riverine areas have always been a hurdle in maintaining law and order for the provincial governments in Sindh and Punjab despite conducting multiple operations to eliminate them.

A National Action Plan implementation review committee decided in a meeting at the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) headquarters in April to launch a joint operation of Sindh and Punjab police forces against notorious dacoits of the kacha areas in Sindh.

The directives were issued by Interior Minister Naqvi who chaired the high-level meeting attended by the interior secretary, heads of Nacta and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), police chiefs of Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and provincial home secretaries.

Abducted constable rescued after kacha dacoit operation in Rahim Yar Khan

A policeman kidnapped by kacha dacoits from Rahim Yar Khan's riverine Machka area two days ago has been rescued by the Punjab Police in an operation, a spokesperson announced on Sunday.On Thursday,...

www.thenews.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

Cops in Punjab refuse to join operation in Kacha area, exit midway​

Punjab police officers have refused to participate in an operation against dacoits in the Kacha area of Rajanpur, disembarking from their transport en route, according to Express News.

25 officers from the Farooqabad Constabulary, dispatched for the operation, declined to enter the Kacha area and disembarked near the Zahir Pir Interchange four days ago.

The officers reportedly told their superiors, "We are responsible for our own safety, but under no circumstances will we participate in the operation in the Kacha area."

In response to the officers' refusal, a report was prepared by their in-charge, recommending disciplinary action against the 25 officers.

Inspector General of Punjab Police Usman Anwar has since sent replacement personnel, and the new contingent has arrived in Rahim Yar Khan. Anwar stated, "We now have full deployment in the Kacha area, and no officers will be absent."


The operation in the Kacha region follows a severe attack by dacoits four days ago, which resulted in the deaths of 12 police officers.

In response, the Punjab government, in collaboration with Sindh, decided to launch a joint operation in the area. IG Punjab Usman Anwar visited the Kacha region four days ago to boost the morale of the officers.

The region, notorious for its organised criminal gangs, has long been a hotspot for kidnap-for-ransom operations, with such gangs operating in the riverine border areas of southern Sindh and central Punjab for decades.

Cops in Punjab refuse to join operation in Kacha area, exit midway | The Express Tribune

25 officers from the Farooqabad Constabulary reportedly disembarked near Zahir Pir Interchange four days ago

tribune.com.pk

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Punjab govt to grant special allowance to policemen deployed in Katcha

The Punjab government has decided to grant a special allowance to the policemen appointed in the Katcha area.

The Punjab Finance Department will revise the proposal for final approval in this regard.

IG Punjab Usman Anwar submitted a summary seeking a Hard Area Allowance for 1,357 personals in Rahim Yar khan and Rajanpur.
Swiatek storms past qualifier to reach third round
The allowance is intended for inspectors, sub-inspectors assistant sub-inspectors and constables working here. The initiative is likely to cost Rs330 million.


Dunya News

 

[FearlessRoar]

Who is arming the bandits of Katcha? It's outrageous that they have access to rockets and other weapons.How are these weapons being smuggled in?

 

[UP]

Who is arming the bandits of Katcha? It's outrageous that they have access to rockets and other weapons.How are these weapons being smuggled in?

Sindh police arms them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sindh police arms them.

Most probably. I wonder that our forces are so weak that they cannot handle them and they talk about taking revenge for palestine etc etc.

Sindh police is one of the most corrupt and incompetent force out there.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Katcha outlaws resume kidnapping spree, abduct two Hindus from Bhong

After a month-long lull, gangsters from the Katcha area have become active once again, kidnapping three people, including two Hindus, on Friday night in two strikes.

The dacoits abducted two Hindus, Shameer Jee and Dheema Jee, from their home in the Kalywali area, within the Bhong police jurisdiction. The assailants forcibly entered their house and took them to the katcha region.

District Police Officer Rizwan Umar Gondal promptly dispatched a team to work on their recovery.

Kabul Sukhani, the ringleader of the Sukhani Gang, who carries a bounty of Rs10 million on his head, claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.

Reports suggest that the dacoits released a video of the hostages, demanding the release of an accomplice currently in police custody. The gang has made the release of the hostages conditional on their accomplice’s freedom, threatening to kill the captives if their demands are not met.

Another person, Saleem Niazi, was kidnapped on Friday night near Masoo Mor in the Muradpur area, which falls under the Machka police. The suspects opened fire and injured a motorcyclist also near Adam Sahaba in Sadiqabad, fleeing with his bike. The injured man was later shifted to a hospital by Rescue 1122.

Three days back, two people from Municipal Colony Sadiqabad, Asif and Bilal, had gone missing and believed to be held at a dacoit hideout in the Khair Muhammad Jhuk area near the Indus River.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a first information report under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code had been registered at Bhong Police Station on Saturday concerning the abduction of Bheema Jee and Shameer Jee.

Over the past 30 days, 12 people have been abducted from different parts of Rahim Yar Khan, leaving citizens, businessmen, and politicians alarmed by the rise in kidnappings for ransom. The katcha dacoits are now using honey trap and direct abduction strategies from roads and residential areas.

According to reports, 12 people were kidnapped within the limits of the Sadiqabad police circle in the last month, but only four hostages have been recovered by the police so far. One abductee was killed after ransom demands were not met, while seven people, including two Hindus, remain in captivity.

Meanwhile, President of Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Iqbal Hafeez, expressed his concern in a video statement, saying that the law and order situation in the district is deteriorating rapidly. He condemned the growing threat of extortion by the dacoits, saying that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure a safe environment for traders and industrialists. Hafeez claimed that half of the industrialists who had moved to the RYK Industrial Estate from Karachi and other regions, have now left due to the rising insecurity.

DAWN NEWS

 

[Human786]

Among other nuisances that Pakistan is currently plagued with, the escalating cases of katcha (riverine areas) dacoit have lately engaged the country’s law enforcement and spread mental and emotional harassment among people. The menace poses a serious threat to people by luring them into certain traps. These can range from men enticed into stimulating friendships by women, or in other cases, falling trap to monetary or other material incentives through deceitful means. As the victims proceed towards the guided physical locations, they are kidnapped and a hefty ransom is demanded of their families. Cases reported by local news agencies reveal that these dacoits are based in northern and central parts of Sindh and operate across the country, but mainly in Sindh and Punjab.

Katcha dacoit cases have been prevalent over the last few years, but they have been soaring since last year. In 2019, the Sindh and Punjab police collaboratively launched a crackdown in the provinces locating the criminals’ hideouts. However, there is a dire need for the operation to not only accelerate, but also improve the efficacy of the targets. In addition to citizens’ safety and the general law and order situation of the country, an improved systematic operation is required that addresses the protection and security of law enforcement personnel.

A number of police officers are reported to have been killed an injured in counter-shootouts, which is a serious hazard to how fast the security forces are falling in numbers. Not that the system lacks a sound mechanism to ensure security personnel’s safety, but strengthening the crackdown alone can foil the mushrooming of the menace.

Katcha areas in Sindh cities like Karachi, Larkana, Sukkur and Thatta must be evacuated, as these areas become hiding grounds for dacoits when an operation cleans up a katcha area from their hub in Interior Sindh. However, clean-up operations in Karachi frequently face resistance from local authorities that claim developmental work in progress in these areas. While police superintendents from certain areas of Sindh and Punjab have vaguely hinted at the presence of masterminds of dacoit groups, it becomes imperative that these be targeted. This will add another strategic step to the crackdown and prevent the proliferation of dacoit groups in other parts of the country where at this stage, channels exist to facilitate the supply of weapons to dacoit groups.

Combatting Katcha dacoits | The Express Tribune

Menace poses a serious threat to people by luring them into certain traps

tribune.com.pk

Are Sindh and Punjab police capable enough to eradicate these Katcha dacoits forever?

I thought you were referring to the Afridi duo from cricketing World

 

[FearlessRoar]

Katcha area dacoit killed in joint operation, claim police

Shahid, the notorious leader of the Katcha area gang, was killed in a joint operation by the Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur police, according to Punjab Police. He was wanted for several high-profile cases, including murder and kidnapping for ransom, and had a reward of Rs 10 million on his capture.

Initially, police reported that Shahid was killed by his own associate, Umar, following a heated argument. However, they later clarified that Shahid was fatally shot in the joint operation, which was part of a two-month effort to eliminate criminal elements in the region.

This operation is part of a broader crackdown on crime in the Katcha area. Earlier, a joint operation by Sindh Rangers and Police resulted in the killing of another most-wanted criminal, identified as the brother of Malguzar Bhulkani, and the arrest of two others. The police also detained six suspected individuals.

The inspector general of police praised the successful operation by the police forces of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur.

ARY

 

[BouncerGuy]

Katcha gangsters kill four in Punjab’s Khanpur revenge attack

A gang of Katcha area attacked the house of relatives of an alleged police informer and killed four of his relatives, including three brothers, at Basti Chandia/Lashari of village Jajja Abbasian in the Zahirpir town of tehsil Khanpur at night.

On the other hand, police claimed that two attackers were killed when they were trying to escape towards the Katcha area.

According to the rescue sources, the dacoits of Indhar Gang attacked the house of Irfan, an uncle of the late Usman Chandia, at around 10pm. Immediately after their arrival, the dacoits killed Irfan’s three sons, Muhammad Arabi (15),Muhammad Makki (15), Muhammad Madni (10), and a relative Muhammad Zaman (38).

In a video message Irfan said he had informed police about the attack of the dacoits but police did not reach even after half an hour of the attack. He said the police had just used his nephew Usman Chandia who was killed in the confrontation with the dacoits in 2023. He further said that it was the duty of police to provide them with security because police were already providing security and meals to the family of Usman Chandia. He said his whole family was murdered and now even the inspector general police or DIG could not help him. Irfan said that the dacoits took revenge of the killings of Janu Indhar and his accomplices.

According to some locals, the area of Jajja Abbasian witnessed the sound of shots fired by the dacoits and there was panic among the villagers. The police did not respond to calls at 15 when the district police officer and Station House Officer Zahirpir were a few kilometers away from the scene. In a WhatsApp message, a police spokesperson claimed that after the killing of four innocent citizens, police failed the attempt of the attackers to escape. After the attack of dacoits, they were being chased and the heavy firing started in which two dacoits were killed. He claimed that they belonged to the Indhar, Shar and Kosh gangs; however, he did not disclose the name of the deceased suspects.

Janu Indhar, the ring leader of Indhar Gang, and his three accomplices, Munshi Indhar, Somer Shar and Kata Shar, were killed in an encounter in July 2023 while two dacoits were injured. The encounter happened in the Katcha area of Kashmore and Kandhkot. According to the sources, after the killing of Janu Indhar, Jamil Indhar and Tanvir Indhar were leading the gang and it is suspected that they were behind the attack on Irfan’s house and killing of his three sons and a relative.

DAWN NEWS

 

[FearlessRoar]

Bounties set on 40 katcha bandits​

The Punjab government has announced bounties on 40 'notorious dacoits' of the riverine katcha area, releasing their names and photographs.

The announcement was made by the Punjab Home Department as part of efforts to eliminate organised crime in the region of the province.

According to a notification, the government has placed bounties of Rs5 million and Rs2.5 million on the heads of the wanted men in view of their criminal record.

Of the most wanted criminals, including Habib alias Habibi, Qurban, Farhat and Isa, 20 carry a bounty of Rs5 million each. The remaining 20, including Yaqub, Shahnawaz and Abdul Sattar, have Rs2.5 million bounties each.

The announcement follows an earlier move to offer Rs10 million in reward for information about 20 high-profile dacoits.

The home department also shared a WhatsApp number, 0333-4002653, for the public to confidentially report information about the criminals.

The katcha region located along the riverine belt of South Punjab has long been a hotbed of criminal activity, with dense forests providing natural hideouts for gangs involved in kidnappings, robberies and terrorism.

Despite multiple costly operations since the 1990s, the criminals have managed to evade law enforcement by exploiting the terrain.

A major recent escalation in the conflict occurred in August last year, when a rocket attack on a police van in Rahim Yar Khan claimed the lives of 12 policemen.

The government had responded by raising the bounty on the heads of over a dozens of bandits of te region, replacing the district's police command and launching an extensive operation involving joint efforts by the Punjab and Sindh police.

Shahid **** was also named in the list issued by Punjab Home Department.

A video had gone viral on social media in which, Shahid ****, one of the men named in the list issued by the home department, questioned an official on the helpline about the inclusion of his name.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar stated later that Shahid ****, a notorious ringleader with a Rs10 million bounty, had been killed in a joint operation in November.

He said the Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), had adopted advanced technology and strategies to counter the gangs.

Infamous for his violent crimes and social media presence as a TikToker and YouTuber, Shahid **** was wanted in at least 28 cases, including murder of police personnel and acts of terrorism. His death was declared a major success by the police. However, some locals had claimed that he had been murdered by a close relative after a gathering to resolve a family feud.

Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal reiterated the government's resolve to restore law and order in the region. "The sacrifices of our officers will not go in vain. Our efforts will continue until this menace is eradicated," he asserted.

The government is also mobilising public support, urging citizens to report information about the criminals while assuring the informants of confidentiality.

The Punjab government has allocated additional resources, including fresh contingents of CTD personnel, and plans to deploy state-of-the-art technology to bolster its efforts. Officials emphasise that the ultimate goal is not only to apprehend the criminals but also to dismantle the networks supporting them.

Bounties set on 40 katcha bandits | The Express Tribune

Bounties set on 40 katcha bandits

tribune.com.pk

They said the bounties were part of a strategy to incentivise cooperation from the public and expedite the security operations.