SUKKUR: Undeterred by the ongoing massive operation against gangs in three upper Sindh districts and presence of the visiting inspector general of Sindh police on Monday, outlaws carried out yet another criminal act by kidnapping a crane operator and wounding a watchman in the Bakhshapur area of Kandhkot in broad daylight.

IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon has been visiting Kandhkot-Kash­more, Shikarpur and Ghotki to guide several hundred police officers and personnel on what is being projected a comprehensive and effective strategy formulated at the highest level in Sindh and in coordination with Punjab and Baloshistan police to eliminate criminal gangs from bordering areas of the three provinces.

The massive operation is being conducted mainly in the gang-infested riverine areas of the three provinces.

The IGP visited the target area of Kandhkot-Ghotki bridge and a vast territory where many check points have been set up and strong contingents of heavily armed and suitably equipped police force have been deployed.

Crane driver, several commuters kidnapped as operation continues

The Sindh police chief also visited similar operation areas in Shikarpur and was likely to meet the police force, part of the operation, in Ghotki district as well.

In Kandhkot, the IGP rece­ived a briefing on the defined strategy and progress of the ongoing operation from SSP Ifan Ali Sammo, who informed him about the check posts set up in the riverine area falling within his jurisdiction. He said officers and personnel had been posted in the check posts.

The SSP also briefed the IGP about presence and movement of gangs and their criminal activities.

Later, the IGP held a meeting with the Larkana DIG and SSPs in the Kandhkot SSP’s office and took account of law and order prevailing in the three upper Sindh districts.

They discussed the strategy formulated to achieve the goal and restore peace in the troubled areas.

Earlier, IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon visited the operation areas in Shikarpur and was taken to Kot Shahu, where criminal gangs had been active for years.

The IGP inspected nine newly set up police check posts in the riverine area and gave necessary directives to the officers and personnel manning these posts.

Larkana DIG Mazhar Nawaz Sheikh and Ghotki SSP Tanveer Hussain Tunio accompanied the IGP in his visit.

Shikarpur SSP retired Captain Faizan Ali gave a detailed briefing to him on operational preparedness of the force given under his command. The IGP directed the SSP to chalk out a comprehensive plan to eliminate the gangs from his area.

He said restoration of peace and maintenance of law and order was the top priority of Sindh police with the aim of establishing complete writ of law across the province.

In his all meetings with the Larkana DIG and SSPs, the Sindh police chief discussed the recent high-profile murder of IBA assistant professor Dr Mohammad Ajmal Sawand and sought their input about a plan to trace out and arrest his killers.

The IGP distributed gifts, clothes and cash assistance among the families of those po­lice officers and personnel who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

He appreciated services of the martyrs and said every officer and jawan of the police force was supposed to discharge his duty diligently and bravely to protect the life and property of citizens.

He told them that he was making his best efforts to ensure provision of more medical and other facilities to those who were injured in the line of duty and financial assistance to their families. He said he had already discussed the matter with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Gangsters kidnap crane driver

While the IGP was visiting the operation areaas, a gang of dacoits kidnapped a crane driver and several commuters in broad daylight in the Bakhshapur area of Shikarpur on Monday. They took away the hostages into the riverine area, according to the police. The crane driver was identified as Shad Mohammad Bangwar. It was reported that the gangsters injured a watchman who tried to resist the kidnapping.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2023