Main culprit behind attack on police killed

RAHIM YAR KHAN/LAHORE: Punjab police announced on Friday they had killed the main culprit behind a rocket attack that claimed lives of 12 police officers in Rahim Yar Khan district’s Machka area on Thursday night.

He said the police successfully eliminated the main culprits behind the attack, Bashir Shar, and his accomplices, during an encounter on Friday. “The main suspect who attacked policemen yesterday, Bashir Shar, has reached his logical end,” the police announced via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). The statement also confirmed that five accomplices of Shar — identified as Sanaullah Shar, Gada Ali, Kamlu Shar, Ramzan Shar, and Gadi — were injured in a swift police action.

Also, District Police Officer (DPO) Rahim Yar Khan Rizwan Malik as well as two other officers were transferred by the Police Department over their alleged slackness in enforcement of the police standard operating procedures (SOPs). According to sources, the IGP reappointed former DPO Rizwan Omar Gondal as DPO Rahim Yar Khan. DPO Imran Ahmad Malik, SP Investigation Javed Akhtar Jatoi and DSP Organised Crimes Kaleem Ahmed were transferred to Central Police. A notification was issued in that regard.

Earlier on Thursday night, the attack was carried out by dacoits, targeting two police vehicles, leaving the law-enforcement community in mourning. Organised criminal gangs have been active for decades particularly in the riverine border regions of southern Sindh and central Punjab. On Thursday night, two police vehicles, carrying a total of 22 officers, were returning from a police camp in the Katcha (riverine) area. On the way, dacoits fired rockets on the police vehicles, killing 11 officers on the spot. One officer succumbed to his wounds later on, pushing the death toll to 12. Nine others were injured in the attack.

Among the martyred policemen, three Hindus also sacrificed their lives in fight against bandits. All of martyred were identified as constables of Punjab Constabulary and they belonged to parts of south Punjab, Rahim Yar Khan police told The News. Nine of them belonged to RY Khan district, the rest three to Muzaffargarh, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan.

The martyred constables were identified as Muhammad Imran of Police Station (PS) Pakka Laran; Muhammad Arshad of PS Bhong; Nazar Abbas of PS Choti Dera Ghazi Khan; Anas Sattar of PS Mumtazabad Multan; Ajay Ram of PS Khanpur Sadar; Berum Ram of PS Khanpur Sadar; Abdullah of PS Muzaffargarh Mehmood Kot; Muhammad Sajjid of PS Liaquatpur Tabassam Shaheed; Raja Kanwal of PS Tabassam Shaheed; Muhammad Ahmed of PS Sajja; Muhammad Zahid of PS Rukinpur; and Muhammad Munir Langri [cook] of PS Tabassam Shaheed.

In response to the attack, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar said on Friday that a coordinated operation by the Punjab and Sindh police forces had been launched in the riverine region. Over 320 Punjab police personnel, supported by Sindh forces, are currently on the ground as part of the operation, he added. The Punjab police vowed to continue their operations until the area was fully secured.

On Friday, funeral prayers for the Machka Katcha area martyred policemen were offered at the district police lines in Rahim Yar Khan. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended the funeral prayers and condoled martyrdom of victims with their parents. He met the injured and their attendants at Shaikh Zayed Hospital RY Khan. He announced Tamgha Shujat for the martyred police personnel praising the courage of the police personnel.

Advisor to CM Punjab Brigadier Babar, DG Rangers Punjab, IGP, home secretary and other civil and military officers were also present. South Punjab Additional IG Muhammad Kamran Khan and RPO Bahawalpur Rai Babar Saeed also visited Shaikh Zayed Hospital along with Deputy Commissioner Khurram Parvez on Friday.

Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel, saying that the sacrifices of the cops would always be remembered. She sought a report from IGP Dr Usman Anwar on the incident.

Also, following directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a bounty of Rs10 million was fixed for capture of the most dangerous criminals, known as high-value targets, in the Katcha region. Additionally, a bounty of Rs5 million was placed on other dangerous criminals, and Rs2.5 million for third-tier criminals.

Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, meanwhile, strongly condemned the attack on police vehicles in Rahim Yar Khan area. He extended his condolences to families of martyred police personnel. Deputy Chairman Senate Syed Aal Khan, Leader of the Senate Ishaq Dar, and Leader of the Opposition Senator Syed Shibli Faraz also condemned the incident.

Police officers stationed in the Katcha area face a severe shortage of weapons, sources say. The officers lack not only modern firearms but also essential ammunition, according to an audio recording surfaced on social media. Police personnel have allegedly been left at the mercy of armed robbers. Despite employees raising concerns during a recent visit by the DPO Rahim Yar Khan, no action was taken, as heard in the audio.

Officers are reportedly being forced to serve with rusty, outdated and inadequate weapons. Those unable to perform their duties with such weapons have been bluntly told to leave, as per the DPO’s response in the audio. An audio recording from a police officer regarding these issues has gone viral following the Machka tragedy.

Separately, IGP Dr Usman Anwar paid tribute to Constable Sohail, who was martyred by robbers’ firing in Kabirwala, Khanewal. He said Constable Sohail bravely sacrificed his life in the line of duty, achieving the esteemed status of martyrdom. Dr Usman instructed that the best possible welfare of the martyr’s family would be ensured.

Punjab Police spokesperson said police conducted a raid to recover stolen goods and arrest a wanted criminal. Robbers fired on the raiding police party, resulting in martyrdom of Constable Sohail.

Spokesperson said one of the robbers, Rana Ahmad, who was wanted in 10 robbery cases, was also killed by the robbers’ own gunfire.