RAHIM YAR KHAN: Four dacoits were killed while a policeman died and another injured in line of duty in Machka police limits on Wednesday.

According to a press release issued by the district police spokesperson, a police party was in katcha area of Machka near Guddu Barrage to rescue a man kidnapped for ransom through ‘honey-trap’ by outlaws of Shar gang.

He said the dacoits opened fire on the police party which was retaliated by police. In the meantime, RYK District Police Officer Imran Ahmed Malik and Sadiqabad ASP Ayaz Khan reached the scene along with a heavy contingent of police.

Station House Officer of Machka Muhammad Ramzan was martyred during the encounter while constable Qaiser Chatta was injured.

Four dacoits of Shar gang were killed during the encounter but their names were not mentioned in the press release.

Police party had visited the region to rescue a kidnapped villager

According to a source, the encounter started between police and dacoits near the Sindh-Punjab border along the protective spur of Indus. He identified three of the slain dacoits as Ranu Shar, Sadique Shar and Rakhu Kosh.

He said Machka SHO Ramzan was stuck in marshy ground during the encounter and died of heart attack due to extremely hot and humid conditions.

The injured constable was shifted to the Shaikh Zayed Medical College Hospital (SZMCH) where his condition was said to be stable. The firing between police and dacoits was continuing till the filing of this report at 7pm on Wednesday.

According to a resident of Bhong area, a man named Sumandar hailing from Garhi Dhu Dhu was kidnapped by unidentified persons near a canal bridge in Bhong police limits on Wednesday noon.

Sumandar was reportedly picked up by people who arrived in a car and took him away with his motorcycle but police sources didn’t confirm any such incident.

This was the second clash between outlaws and police in less than two months in the katcha area wherein policemen also died. Three policemen were martyred during a robbery on June 7 last when dacoits opened fire on them in Khanbela town of Liaqatpur tehsil.

Sources said the dacoit gangs were still active in the katcha area of Indus at different locations in the districts of RYK, Rajanpur and Ghotki (Sindh).

MARYAM: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated the Punjab police on carrying out a successful operation against the dacoits in the kacha area.

The CM paid tribute to Inspector Muhammad Ramzan on embracing martyrdom. The CM expressed her heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and ordered best treatment for the injured constable.

The chief minister lauded professional abilities of the police force for killing the dacoits of Shar gang.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2024