Four unarmed civilians were killed in an incident of gang violence in Basti Lashari area of Rahim Yar Khan, Express News reported on Monday.
The attack, attributed to suspected members of local criminal gangs, prompted Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar to demand an immediate report from the Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer (RPO).
The IGP has directed Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) to ensure speedy arrest of those responsible.
Senior police officers, along with forensic and crime scene teams, have already arrived at the scene to gather evidence and launch investigations.
According to the Punjab police spokesperson, members of the Andhar, Shar and Kosh gangs were involved in the attack.
Law enforcement launched an immediate operation, leading to an exchange of gunfire as officers pursued the suspects.
Police teams led by DSP Khanpur Azhar Iqbal and DSP Sadar Circle Khalid Mehmood are actively involved in efforts to apprehend the attackers.
Authorities have expressed confidence in their ability to neutralize the gang and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Gang of pickpockets dismantled
Police busted a gang of four pickpockets in a swift operation in a busy Mirpurkhas market last week.
According to a police report, the arrested women were part of an inter-district gang involved in theft incidents in busy areas of the city such as markets and bus stations.
On the orders of SSP Mirpurkhas, SHO of city police station and inspector Momal Laghari of women police station carried out the operation. The women were arrested at a shopping mall in Khasakpura, where they were caught red-handed robbing a citizen named Shaukat.
The gang, led by Zahida Khoso, hailed from Sakrand, a tehsil of Shaheed Benazirabad district. Zahida had previously been arrested in case number 10/2024. The gang mainly targeted women and men in busy shopping areas, stealing wallets and belongings.
DPO Rahim Yar Khan condemned the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and assured the public that those responsible will face the full weight of the law. “Innocent lives have been lost and we are determined to bring swift justice,” he said.
