RAHIM YAR KHAN / DERA GHAZI KHAN: Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Karim visited the Katcha areas of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur where he inspected police posts and resolved to continue police operations until lasting peace was ensured in the riverine belt.

He said that 500 dacoits operating in the Katcha area had surrendered and warned that those who refused to lay down their arms would face a “state of war”.

During the separate visits in the two districts, he was accompanied by South Punjab Additional IG Kamran Khan, Bahawalpur RPO Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin and Rahim Yar Khan DPO Irfan Ali Samoon in Rahim Yar Khan and RPO Dera Ghazi Khan Muhammad Azhar Akram, and DPO Rajanpur Muhammad Imran in Rajanpur.

He said police operations in the Katcha area were continuing without interruption. He emphasised that Punjab Police were not waiting for criminals to surrender but had been proactively pursuing its mandate to eliminate lawlessness.

IGP visits Katcha areas of RYK, Rajanpur

He noted that success was achieved in the Katcha through the sacrifices of police martyrs and vowed that their blood would not go in vain. He said that the fear that once gripped the region had largely subsided.

The IG further said that infrastructure development in the Katcha area would be completed in accordance with operational requirements and a comprehensive strategy was being finalised to ensure sustainable results.

Earlier, upon his arrival, the Bahawalpur RPO briefed him on the overall security situation and progress of the ongoing operation. The DPO Rahim Yar Khan also gave a detailed overview of the Katcha police camps, showcasing the use of drone surveillance and thermal imaging technology being used in the crackdown.

The IGP was told that in Rahim Yar Khan, 68 dacoits were killed in encounters, while 97 were arrested in injured condition. Additionally, 218 criminals, including 15 carrying head money, had surrendered. Four more criminals were killed during exchanges of fire and eight were arrested.

The Dera Ghazi Khan RPO also provided the IGP with a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing police operation in the Kacha area of Rajanpur. The IG Punjab visited the Lunda Mor police checkpoint and reviewed security measures, manpower deployment, arms and ammunition, bunkers, and the monitoring process through thermal dome cameras.

He also inspected the areas surrounding the checkpoint with the aid of drone cameras and met with the personnel deployed there.

The IGP was informed that so far, over 577 criminals had surrendered during the Kacha operation in the district.

He reiterated the commitment that, in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Kacha would be permanently transformed into a cradle of peace.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2026