SUKKUR: Three notorious gangsters were gunned down and six others wounded by Ghotki and Shikarpur police during targeted operations in the riverine areas of the two districts early on Wednesday morning.

According to Ghotki police, a grand targeted action was underway on the directives of Sukkur DIG Pir Muhammad Shah against the dacoits operational in the katcha area within the limits of Shaheed Din Muhammad police station.

On Wednesday morning, police force encountered with the dacoits, killing their two notorious colleagues and wounding their three other associates.

SSP Sumair Noor Channa, who is leading the operation, said police had taken the bodies in custody and also recovered an ‘anti-aircraft gun’ from the gangsters’ hideouts.

He said they (police) had inflicted severe injuries on three other dacoits whom their associates took away to the riverine area before police could arrest them.

The police have torched and destroyed several hideouts of the outlaws and cleared a large katcha area, the SSP said, adding that police teams had mounted a search for the fugitive injured dacoits.

The SSP said the dead gangsters had been identified as Muhib, son of Abdul Ghafoor alias Ghafoori Shar, and Todo, son of Mazar Shar.

Dodo Shar was wanted by police in several heinous crimes, he said, adding that police were collecting criminal record of the dead gangsters.

The Ghotki SSP said they had conducted a targeted operation with help of latest technology and policemen equipped with armoured personnel carriers (APCs). They were fighting valiantly against the gang of Sultu Shar.

He said police officials had taken positions in the cleared areas. The action would continue till restoration of peace and elimination of gangsters from the Ghotki katcha area.

Police action in Shikarpur

Meanwhile, three gangsters were injured and arrested by Shikarpur police after an encounter at Sim Shakh within the limits of the Stuart Ganj police station in Shikarpur this morning. Police also claimed to have recovered weapons from them.

Shikarpur SSP Irfan Ali Samoo said they had recently started a grand targeted action against dacoits and criminals who had been challenging the writ of law in the district.

He said that on Wednesday morning, police injured three outlaws and shifted them to the taluka hospital where they were identified as Qurban, Irfan and Faheem Kakepoto.

Police had also recovered weapons, bullets and stolen motorcycle from them, the SSP said.

He said that police were checking criminal records of the injured outlaws.

Outlaw killed

SSP Samoo said police gunned down notorious dacoit Yasir Teghani during a joint operation in Khanpur katcha area on June 17 and recovered his weapons from the spot.

He said the outlaw was wanted by police in several heinous crimes such as kidnappings for ransom, killings and encounters with police. He was also involved in the martyrdom of police officials.

He said police had cordoned off the area and mounted a search for other fugitive outlaws.

He vowed to continue targeted police operation till elimination of crime in the riverine areas of Shikarpur district.

The SSP also said Larkana Range DIG Nasir Aftab reached the katcha area and met with the police and Rangers officials on the Eidul Azha.

He also reviewed the ongoing targeted operation and received briefing about the joint operation, the SSP said.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2024