KARACHI, July 2: Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza has sought district-wise details about the stock of arms and ammunitions with police in order to utilise the available resources in a proper manner.

Presiding over a meeting at the Central Police Office on Wednesday to review the ongoing anti-dacoit operations in the Sukkur region, he said the objective of the operation was to eliminate dacoits involved in kidnapping for ransom and other heinous crimes. The meeting was attended by home secretary, director-general of Sindh Rangers, provincial police officer, additional inspector-general of police (special branch), deputy inspector-general of CID, Sukkur RPO, DIG technical and transport and others.

The meeting decided that Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, would provide backup support to the police during the entire anti-dacoit operations.

Dr Mirza called for strengthening the concept of community policing in the interior of Sindh. “People should be encouraged to come forward voluntarily and help in identifying notorious criminals and their harbourers.” Upholding the rule of law was the government’s foremost priority and there would be no compromise in this regard, he said.

Earlier, the Regional Police Officer of Sukkur briefed the minister about the performance of Sukkur police during the period from Jan 1 to June 15. He said that 28 dacoits were killed, 667 were arrested and 1,049 illicit weapons were recovered from them during 370 encounters.

He also discussed the strategy chalked out for the anti-dacoit operations with special reference to existing manpower resources and requirements. He apprised the minister of the sector-wise patrolling being carried out and raids being conducted on the crime-infested areas to check highway robberies.

The minister asked Provincial Police Officer Salahuddin Babar Khattak to examine the requirements as spelt out by the RPO Sukkur and take steps to provide required manpower and resources. He directed that steps be taken for regular aerial surveillance of the entire area during the anti-dacoit operations.

Dr Mirza directed the RPO to ensure picketing along the bunds, monitoring of islands through boats besides regular checking of the suspected areas. He said raids should be conducted only after identifying hideouts of notorious dacoits.—APP