GHOTKI: The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ghotki Saqib Sultan and SSP Rahim Yar Khan Zaffar Chattha on Monday said 11 dacoits were killed in the kutcha area of Ronti, Ghotki during an operation to rescue the seven police officials abducted on the Punjab-Sindh border on Sunday.

Know more: Seven policemen kidnapped near Rahim Yar Khan.

Sources said police resorted to gunship shelling from helicopters to rescue the abducted policemen, who were abandoned by their kidnappers in the face of the onslaught and were rescued safely.

The rescue operation was jointly conducted by Ghotki and Rahim Yar Khan Police.

Officials said a police operation has been underway in the kutcha areas of Sindh for almost three weeks now, targeting in particular members of the Sultu Shar and Chhotu gangs.

The operation was halted as night fell, making it difficult for forces to target criminals.

Sources said nightfall had also made it difficult to identify the murdered dacoits.

On Sunday, armed assailants had targeted a police checkpost in Machhka area in Rahim Yar Khan, close to the border between Sindh and Punjab, and kidnapped seven policemen including an ASI.

According to details, all those kidnapped were Punjab Police personnel.

Soon after the incident, a search and recovery operation was initiated by Sindh and Punjab Police in adjoining areas.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also taken serious notice of the police kidnappings and had ordered authorities to retrieve the abducted personnel at any cost.

So far during the three weeks of police operations in the area, an SHO has been killed and several cops injured.

Know more: SHO dies, three constables hurt in rocket attack by dacoits.

On the recommendation of Punjab Police, the federal government had provided two helicopters to assist in the recovery of abducted officials.