LAHORE: As many as three hardened robbers were killed while many dacoits, including four members of the Kokani gang, were arrested on the 10th day of Katcha operation launched by the Punjab police.

The police forces cordoned off Kabil Sikhani under heavy exchange of fire between the armed robbers.

A spokesperson for the Punjab police said the force faced some troubles in reaching hideouts of the peninsula.

Talking about the last reports, he said, the police force under the supervision of Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Umar Gondal killed three criminals and arrested four operatives of the Kokani gang. The police recovered from them Kalashnikovs and other weapons.

Police intensify boat patrol to prevent criminals from entering Sindh terrain

Similarly, a huge cache of heavy weapons were also recovered from the secret hideouts of the criminals, including rocket launchers, rockets, hand grenades, LMGs, Kalashnikovs and thousands of bullets.

The Punjab police spokesperson said forces were facing difficulties to reach the Sikhani camp, a stronghold of the robbers, because of heavy flow of water on all sides of the hideouts of the criminals.

He said the hardened dacoits of Katcha of Sikhani camp were unleashing heavy fires from their hideouts using long-range deadly weapons on the police.

However, the police forces were continuing their efforts to target their hideouts using preventive measures.

He said the criminals of Kabil Sikhani gang released a fresh video message wherein they threatened the police with dire consequences.

The spokesperson said ASP Bhong Shahzeb Chachar, ASP Sadiqabad Haseeb Javed Memon, SHOs Saifullah Malhi, Naveed Nawaz Wahla, Rana Muhammad Ramzan, Tanveer Raza Jonda and other teams of elite police force were fighting with them at highly risky areas of Katcha.

He said the forces were moving forward by establishing police camps in Shamsher Mazari, Farida Kokani, Nooz Band and Basti Hasan Malik of riverine areas.

According to some other reports, the police forces equipped with modern weapons and armoured vehicles took control of Chak Kapra and Khairpur Bambili after fierce exchange of fire with the outlaws.

The Punjab police destroyed the hideouts of hardened criminals and established pickets.

Following the police operation, the bandits are trying to escape to Sindh while teams continue to chase them.

The Punjab police forces intensified patrolling on the special boats in the river to foil their attempt to enter the Sindh territory.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2023