BAHAWALPUR: South Punjab Additional Inspector-General of Police Dr Ehsan Sadiq has said a massive police operation has been launched against the criminals in the Indus riverine (kacha) area in the limits of Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab) and Kashmore (Sindh) districts.

The additional IG said in a handout that a police contingent comprising over 500 personnel, supported by heavy modern arms, equipment and 20 Elite Force vehicles and over 20 armoured vehicles, is taking part in the operation.

According to a spokesman for the regional police officer (RPO), the decision to launch the operation was taken in a meeting between Additional IG Dr Sadiq with Bahawalpur RPO Sadiq Ali Dogar on Monday.

Kidnap of constable, taxi driver prompted action against criminals

The spokesman said the decision to launch the operation was taken after reports that the riverine area criminals had allegedly kidnapped a Punjab Constabulary (PC) Constable Tariq and a taxi driver Shahid.

He said that the recovery of the kidnapped men was the top priority for the police force, besides arresting the criminals, who were allegedly involved in a number of heinous crimes.

He said the the operation would be conducted in the riverine areas of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur districts of Punjab and parts of Ghotki district of Sindh.

He added the operation would continue till the arrest or elimination of all the wanted criminals. He said that earlier the additional IG and RPO also visited the police posts set up in the riverine area where the operation was launched.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2022