Twelve police personnel were martyred and eight others injured on Thursday night after dacoits in the Kacha area of Rahim Yar Khan district attacked their convoy.
Speaking with journalists during a visit to Sheikh Zaid Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan, where the injured are being treated, Additional IG South Punjab Muhammad Kamran Khan said the dacoits attacked two police vans with rocket launchers. In a subsequent statement, a Punjab police spokesperson said law enforcers killed the mastermind of the assault, one Bashir Shar, during an ongoing operation near Rahim Yar Khan.
According to one of the injured policemen, the dacoits had placed a burning vehicle on the road. He said that when the police convoys ahead of it, the dacoits opened fire, leaving them trapped. The Punjab police have vowed that they would ramp up their operation in the area, adding support would be sought from the Sindh police and other security forces.
In a statement, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on the police convoy and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the deaths. He prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and patience for their families, as well as the speedy recovery of the injured personnel. Directing the best possible treatment for the injured, he instructed police to immediately identify the attackers and bring them to justice. He commended police officers and personnel for their dedication and courage in combating criminals regardless of personal risk.
Condemning the attack, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the martyred cops and prayed for the early recovery of the injured. He also vowed the government would stand with the families of the martyred cops.
In a statement, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel, maintaining the sacrifices of the cops would always be remembered. She also sought a report from Punjab Police Inspector General Usman Anwar on the incident and ordered the provision of the best medical aid to the injured.