Dacoits attack police post, abduct seven cops

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Seven officials, including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), were abducted when dacoits attacked a police check-post near Ubauro close to Rahim Yar Khan on Sunday.Sources said some 30-40 dacoits armed with the latest weapons attacked the check-post located in the river region, Machka, and abducted the ASI and police officials of a special squad, who were deployed on an exclusive task.
Among the hostages were head constable Mumtaz, constables Asif, Arif Shah, Zia and Tahir. Heavy contingents of Punjab and Sindh Police reached there and started a search operation to get the abducted police personnel freed. The law enforcement agencies were using gunship helicopters in the operation against the dacoits.
The dacoits demanded release of their seven accomplices to set the kidnapped police officials free. However, District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Zafar Chattha refused to accept their demand.
The search operation by the Sindh and Punjab Police is underway to recover the kidnapped policemen. The operation was conducted in Ghotki, Kashmore, Rahim Yar Khan and other areas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took a serious notice of the kidnapping of police personnel in Obaro on Sunday morning. He directed the authorities concerned to take urgent measures for their recovery and for the arrest of dacoits responsible for this criminal act.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, taking notice of the incident, sought a report from District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Zafar Chattha and directed to ensure safe release of the kidnapped policemen.The chief minister also directed to take all-possible steps for the safe recovery of police officials.