Police bravely ventured into the dacoit-ridden thickets of Sukkur’s riverine area to safely rescue 12 kidnapped individuals from the hideout of a notorious criminal gang, following a fierce gun battle.
12 rescued in a major police operation: This large-scale mission was launched on the orders of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, aiming to dismantle criminal networks in the riverine (Katcha) regions, with a specific focus on dacoits and hardened criminals. It kicked off on May 12 and successfully led to the rescue of the 12 hostages.
The operation extended into May 13 in the Bagarji Katcha area of Sukkur, where police encountered fierce resistance. Armed with advanced weaponry, including 12.7 mm machine guns, G3 rifles, submachine guns (SMGs), hand grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), the dacoits retaliated with intensity. Despite the heavy gunfire, police forces managed to destroy several hideouts and apprehend key suspects during the confrontations.
The challenging terrain of the Katcha region added to the complexity of the operation. The dacoits had dug trenches to hinder the movement of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), and the thick forest made it difficult for police to navigate. Nevertheless, law enforcement pressed on, undeterred.
The scale of the operation was impressive, involving a significant number of personnel and equipment. This included five APCs—two from the IG pool, two from Ghotki, and one from Sukkur—as well as surveillance drones that provided real-time aerial monitoring. The operation was spearheaded by SSP Sukkur Azhar Khan and SSP Khairpur Hassan Sardar, with a team of 100 police personnel, six Station House Officers (SHOs), and two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs).
One of the operation’s notable successes was the destruction of hideouts belonging to the infamous dacoit Rajab Jatoi. Although Jatoi managed to escape, his base was reportedly left in ruins.
In a recent operation, six dacoits were injured, among them Salamo Jatoi, who is related to the notorious Kashmir Jatoi. Also caught up in the fray were a suspected member of the Teghani gang and four unidentified individuals linked to the Rahimo Phulpoto and Jatoi gangs. Thankfully, the operation led to the rescue of 12 hostages, nine of whom were from Khairpur and three from Sukkur.
Acting on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, police in Sukkur and Khairpur have kicked off a significant operation. “The safety of our citizens and their property is our highest priority, and we won’t tolerate any negligence in this matter,” the chief minister stated. He reiterated the government’s dedication to maintaining the rule of law and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Budget meeting for the upcoming fiscal year
CM Murad has begun budget meetings to finalize development proposals and funding for the next financial year.
On Wednesday, two separate meetings were held at CM House with the Finance Department and the Planning and Development Department. These gatherings included Minister P&D Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Special Secretary Finance Asghar Memon, and Member P&D Fatah Tunio.
The CM emphasized the need to cut down on non-development expenses while boosting funding for development projects, such as the K-IV water supply, Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, and transportation initiatives in Karachi.
CM Murad meets with UNICEF representative
CM Murad had a meeting with UNICEF Representative Abdullah A. Fadil to discuss joint development plans. They went over the current two-year work plan (2023-2024) that focuses on health, nutrition, education, child protection, WASH, and other important sectors.
Some key initiatives include a $5.5 million project aimed at maternal, neonatal, and child health services, a Rs17.5 million project to enhance nutrition and early childhood development, a $3.2 million program for policy reforms and child protection mechanisms, a $7 million partnership to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve teacher skills, and a $16.8 million initiative for climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure.
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Q1. What was the purpose of the police operation in Sukkur’s Katcha area?
The operation aimed to dismantle criminal networks, particularly dacoit gangs, operating in the riverine (Katcha) areas of Sukkur and Khairpur. It focused on rescuing kidnapped individuals and restoring law and order.
Q2. How many hostages were rescued during the Sukkur police operation?
A total of 12 hostages were safely rescued—nine from Khairpur and three from Sukkur.
Q3. Who ordered the police operation in Sukkur?
The operation was launched under the direct orders of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah as part of a broader campaign to eliminate criminal activity in rural riverine regions.
Q4. What kind of resistance did the police face from dacoits?
The dacoits were heavily armed with advanced weapons including G3 rifles, SMGs, RPGs, grenades, and 12.7 mm machine guns. They also dug trenches to slow down police vehicles and used the thick forest as cover.
Q5. Were any notorious criminals targeted during the operation?
Yes. Police destroyed the hideouts of Rajab Jatoi, a well-known dacoit. Though he escaped, his infrastructure was destroyed. Other injured criminals included Salamo Jatoi and members of the Teghani and Rahimo Phulpoto gangs.
Q6. What resources were used in the Sukkur police operation?
The operation included:
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5 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs)
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Surveillance drones
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100 police officers
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6 SHOs and 2 DSPs
It was led by SSP Sukkur Azhar Khan and SSP Khairpur Hassan Sardar.
