Police rescue 12 kidnapping victims in Kutcha operation

Following the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, police in Sukkur and Khairpur launched a significant operation to dismantle criminal networks in the riverine (Kutcha) area, specifically targeting dacoits and hardened criminals, leading to the successful recovery of 12 kidnapping victims.

Officials said the operation commenced on May 12 and continued into May 13 in the Bagarji Kutcha area of Sukkur. Police encountered intense resistance during the operation, facing heavy gunfire from sophisticated weapons, including 12.7mm machine guns, G3 rifles, submachine guns, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades.

Despite the intense retaliation, police displayed remarkable professionalism, successfully destroying multiple hideouts of criminals and arresting several main suspects. The challenging terrain of the operation zone added to the difficulties. Dacoits had dug trenches to impede the movement of armoured personnel carriers (APCs), while the dense forest in the region further obstructed police mobility. Nonetheless, law enforcers pressed forward with full force.

The operation involved significant manpower and equipment, including five APCs — two from the IG pool, two from Ghotki and one from Sukkur — and surveillance drones for real-time aerial monitoring.

The operation was headed by Sukkur SSP Azhar Khan and Khairpur SSP Hassan Sardar, with 100 police personnel, including six station house officers and two deputy superintendents of police, assisting them. During the operation, hideouts belonging to the notorious dacoit Rajab Jatoi were destroyed. Although Jatoi managed to escape, his base was reportedly burned to ashes.

Six dacoits were injured in the operation: Salamo Jatoi, a cousin of the infamous Kashmir Jatoi; one member of the Teghani gang (identity to be confirmed); and four other unidentified members of the Rahimo Phulpoto and Jatoi gangs. Twelve kidnapping victims were also rescued: nine from Khairpur and three from Sukkur.

“The protection of citizens’ lives and properties is the top priority of the provincial government, and any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated,” the CM said. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, and urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities immediately.

These coordinated operations mark a significant step in reclaiming control over the Kutcha regions that have long been safe havens for dacoits. Police sources confirmed that further phases of the operation are being planned to completely dismantle criminal networks in the area.