Police operations resulting in notable crime rate fall in Katcha areas: Sharjeel

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Friday said significant successes have been achieved in the large-scale operation ongoing in Sindh’s Katcha areas.

As a result of actions taken against criminal elements in these areas, several notified dacoits have been killed, while multiple dangerous gangs have been dismantled. The effective operations of the police have led to a notable decrease in the crime rate, he said in a statement.

The provincial minister said the Katcha areas between Guddu Barrage and Sukkur Barrage had long been safe havens for criminal elements.

The Sindh police launched a major operation in April 2024, utilizing multi-purpose drone cameras, night vision binoculars, and thermal imaging scopes. As a result of this operation, highways have been secured, and the law-and-order situation has improved. Memon said that during operations conducted in 2024, 68 dacoits were killed, 122 were injured, and 356 were arrested. The operation also led to the elimination of five highly wanted dacoits, the arrest of 22 others, and the prevention of 620 citizens from falling into honey traps. Moreover, in 2024, major events such as IDEAS 2024, ICC Champions Trophy, a tri-nation cricket series, the West Indies cricket team’s tour of Pakistan, the 9th multinational naval exercise AMAN-2025, the arrival of the Imam Bohra community in Karachi, the visit of the Iranian President, and the Tablighi Ijtema were held peacefully.

The senior minister stated that from January 1, 2025, to March 15, 2025, additional successes were achieved, including the killing of 10 dacoits, the injury of 31, and the arrest of 56, while 136 citizens were saved from honey traps. Police carried out large-scale operations against the Teghani, Jatoi, Marfani, Kalhoro, Bhayo, Kokri, Bhangwar, Banglani, Mazari, Jagirani, and Shar gangs. Overall, 78 dacoits were killed, 153 were injured, and 412 were arrested, including 25 highly wanted criminals.

He added that police achieved major successes in the ongoing fight against crime, leading to a significant decline in kidnapping-for-ransom cases. Between January and March 2025, no kidnapping cases were reported in Sukkur, while four cases were reported in Ghotki and three in Kashmore, all of which resulted in the safe recovery of the victims. In Shikarpur, eight people were kidnapped, most of whom were recovered safely.