Policeman Dies in Anti-Bandit Operation in Sindh, Pakistan
A policeman lost his life, and two others were injured during an anti-bandit operation in Sindh’s riverine areas. For decades, organized criminal gangs have operated in these regions, frequently engaging in kidnapping-for-ransom activities.
Although the military launched a comprehensive operation against these gangs in the early 1990s, the criminals re-emerged as successive governments failed to sustain law and order in the province. Earlier this month, the Sindh police and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) resolved to intensify their ongoing joint operations against the bandits in the province’s riverine regions.
In today’s statement, the Sindh Rangers spokesperson reported that the bandits opened fire on the police, resulting in the death of Police Constable Lashari and the injury of two others. The victim was a native of Kandhkot. The statement further revealed that a ‘most wanted bandit’ was killed in the return fire, while two others fled the scene with injuries. The killed bandit was reportedly involved in multiple first information reports and was the brother of another infamous bandit who had a bounty on his head issued by the Sindh government. The Rangers also encircled the area, detaining six more suspects. The operation to apprehend the fleeing bandits is still ongoing, and their hideout was destroyed.
This operation was initiated following a surge in criminal activities by riverine bandits in Sindh and Punjab. Last week, bandits attacked a police van with rockets in Rahim Yar Khan, leading to the deaths of over 12 policemen and injuring several others. In response, the Sindh and Punjab governments pledged decisive action against the criminals in the challenging riverine terrain.
On Saturday, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar announced plans to launch a ‘massive clean-up operation’ in the riverine areas once the floodwaters recede. Furthermore, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori took notice on Tuesday of the murder of journalist Mohammed Bachal by bandits in the katcha (riverine) area of Rounti in Sindh’s Ghotki district. Bachal, a reporter for Awaaz TV, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Ghotki’s Rounti area.
Doubts Revealed
Anti-Bandit Operation -: An anti-bandit operation is a mission carried out by police or military forces to catch or stop bandits, who are criminals that rob or kidnap people.
Sindh -: Sindh is a province in Pakistan, which is a country to the northwest of India. It has big cities like Karachi and Hyderabad.
Riverine Areas -: Riverine areas are regions near or along rivers. These areas can be difficult to patrol because of the water and dense vegetation.
Kidnapping-for-Ransom -: Kidnapping-for-ransom is when criminals take someone and demand money to let them go. It’s a serious crime.
Most Wanted Bandit -: A ‘most wanted bandit’ is a criminal who is very dangerous and has committed many crimes. The police are very eager to catch this person.
Suspects -: Suspects are people who the police think might have committed a crime. They are not proven guilty yet but are being investigated.
Authorities -: Authorities are people or organizations in power, like the police or government, who make and enforce laws.
Surge in Criminal Activities -: A surge in criminal activities means there has been a sudden increase in crimes happening in a certain area.
Sindh Home Minister -: The Sindh Home Minister is a government official in charge of maintaining law and order in the Sindh province. Ziaul Hassan Lanjar is the person holding this position.
Clean-up Operation -: A clean-up operation is a large effort to remove criminals and illegal activities from an area to make it safer for everyone.
Floodwaters Recede -: When floodwaters recede, it means the water from a flood goes back down to normal levels, making it easier to move around and do things.