PUNJAB/
RAHIM YAR KHAN:
The Kacha region, which extends across both banks of the Indus River through Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan, has long been beyond firm government control. For over two decades, multiple gangs have carried out kidnappings, extortion, robberies, murders and even “honey-trap” schemes, exploiting the tri-provincial borders to evade law enforcement
At least five police officers were martyred after armed bandits of the Katcha area attacked a police checkpoint in Rahim Yar Khan. Around 40 bandits, armed with rocket launchers and grenades, attacked the Sheikhani Police Check Point, on Thursday night, according to IGP Punjab Dr Usman Anwar.
Read: Bandits of Katcha capitalize on fear
“Police officers of the Elite Force, namely Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Saleem, Nukhail, Constable Khalil and Ghazanfar, were martyred,” said the statement from his office. The first three officers were from Bahawalnagar while the other two were from Rahim Yar Khan.
A bandit was also killed when the police retaliated, added the statement. The attackers fled the site but the police, led by DPO Irfan Ali Samo, have sealed all entry-exit points to the area.
Tensions among local residents have risen as heavy security forces surround the area. Meanwhile, search teams continue to employ advanced weaponry and armored vehicles to track down the remaining attackers. Deputy Police Officer Irfan Ali Samo, who personally led the operation, vowed that “these criminals cannot place themselves above the state and the law; we will bring them to justice.”
Read more: Punjab offers Rs10m bounties for Kacha dacoits
In January 2025, heavily armed dacoits in Sindh’s Kandhkot district abducted eight members of the Oghahi community in retaliation for a gang leader’s death, underscoring the feud-driven violence that plagues the area.
Last year, in response to a rocket attack that claimed the lives of 12 policemen and injured many more, the Punjab government offered bounties of up to Rs 10 million on top Kacha dacoits, with additional rewards of Rs 5 million and Rs 2.5 million for other armed criminals.
