SUKKUR: A dacoit gang shot dead two chained hostages and wounded a third captive after one of them dared to snatch the weapon of a dacoit and killed him at a hideout in the riverine area of Machka, along the Sindh-Punjab border.

Details of the episode emerging from the gang-infested area suggested that the gang had kidnapped many men for ransom and kept them chained in the hideout. On Saturday night, one of the hostages found a chance to snatch the weapon of a dacoit, later identified as Natho Shar, and shot him dead. Natho was keeping a watch on the hostages. However, the hostages could not run away from the hideout because of being chained. A little later, other members of the gang returned to the hideout and, finding Natho Shar having been killed, opened fire on three hostages killing Yaseen, a resident of Faisalabad, and Ikram, a resident of Sargodha. A third hostage, whose name could not be ascertained, also sustained bullet wounds.

The gang uploaded a video on the social media showing the remaining hostages begging for life and asking the police to rescue them. The Punjab police identified the captives as Rizwan, a resident of Khanewal, Waris, a resident of Sheikhupura and Sajid Rind.

Issue of jurisdiction

Soon after the episode was reported on the social media, the issue of jurisdiction became a dispute between the Punjab and Sindh police as Machka is situated along the border between Ghotki and Rahim Yar Khan districts. Police officials of both the districts appeared not ready to collect the bodies and move into action.

A report reaching here late Sunday evening said that SHO Abdul Shakoor Lakho of the Rwanti police station (Ghotki district), tried to collect the dead hostages’ bodies but was not obliged by the gang.

The SHO was quoted as telling his high-ups that the gang wanted a guarantee that no case would be registered against any of its members. “The gang leader also demanded free movement to all those invited to a marriage ceremony, to be held in the area,” the police officer reportedly said.

In reply to a question, the SHO told media personnel that an FIR would have to be lodged by the persons who would receive the bodies, once they were handed over to the police. He expressed the hope that the bodies would be brought to the Rwanti police station soon.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2023