LAHORE:
The locals of the center of Punjab in the hope of making a road trip to Karachi are often noticed against the dangers of the long trip. While ruins and lack of scale facilities are an important deterrence, the real risk often surrounds the existence of a group of criminal thugs.
Katcha bandits, which operate in southern Punjab, have become a serious challenge for the government despite the multiple operations. Previously, a notorious group known as the Chotu gang was active in the Katcha region, but after a prolonged fight, the government deleted it successfully.
However, in the last three years, bandits throughout the country have launched a series of “honey trap” schemes in southern Punjab, for which women are hired to attract victims under the appearance of a romantic relationship.
The Katcha region includes areas on both sides of the Indo River that passes through Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan. These areas have historically seen a minimum government control, and for several years, several bandit gangs have established their own authority. In addition to carrying out robberies, kidnappings, extortions and murders, these criminal gangs are also involved in honey capture.
Despite dozens of large -scale police operations in the areas of Katcha de Rajanpur, substantial success has not been achieved. Gangs such as Lund, Umrani, Sukhani, Lathani and Dashti remain active in the region.
Due to the river geography and the location of tri-borders, these gangs operate through Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan. Since 2002, they have remained a serious challenge for the application of the law. Previous intelligence reports have suggested that certain police officers, influential and political tribal leaders have been supporting these gangs.
A report that summarizes anti-Bandit 2023 operations in the Katcha region concluded that the collusion of police officers had allowed gangs to operate with impunity. Another confidential police report prepared under the supervision of the special branch, revealed that five police personnel, including the shos of Kot Sabzal and Bhong, were not only found by facilitating bandits, but were also accused of confiscating force by force by value of agricultural lands worth millions of local farmers.
Some members of the Punjab police were also acting as accomplices of Katcha’s bandits.
The report also revealed that during operations, innocent people were unfairly arrested in staged meetings, and bribes were taken. Those who refused to fulfill were threatened by the bandits. The report also claimed that it was discovered that Muhammad Salem in charge of the CIA was a close ally of the bandits.
However, Punjab Ig Dr. Usman Anwar dismissed the report on the argument that it was inaccurate and that the police were carrying out successful operations against bandits. “Several important gangs have been dismantled, and the police are using all available resources,” said Dr. Anwar.
In light of the deteriorated security conditions in the Katcha region, the Punjab Department of Interior has decided to deliver the vicinity of Rajanpur, including Bangla Achha, Soon Miani, Katcha Jamal, Katcha Moro and Karachi Katcha, to the police of Rahim Yar Khan.
In addition, the Punjab government decided to launch a new police operation in the area. Punjab police will receive modern teams to face terrorists. For the Katcha operation, Inspector General (IG) of Punjab has requested funds that amount to RS1,791 million, while a head of RS10 million for the most dangerous bandits has been established, known as “high value” objectives.
“The sacrifices of the martyrs will not go in vain, and the operation will continue until the bandits are taken to justice. The new units of the Department of Terrorism (CTD) and the police participate in the operation,” said Punjab Interior Secretary.
