Nine dacoits were killed while 27 were arrested in Ghotki, a joint operation by Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and police, against the Shekhani and Mazari criminal gangs.
The operation was launched after armed bandits abducted 18 passengers from a bus traveling from Sadiqabad to Quetta near Ubauro on the night of December 15, according to a statement by the Sindh Rangers spokesperson. Abducted passengers were recovered by security forces from the Andhar, Lathani, and Bakhrani areas near Cross Bund Khangarh Chowk. Fleeing bandits were targeted and killed by Rangers and police. These include Abdullah Dashti, Hazara alias Lala Shekhani, and Azan alias Chhallu. Police had announced bounty rewards of Rs5 million each on Hazara and Azan.
Eight more people who were already in the custody of the bandits were also recovered during the operation, while various weapons and ammunition were seized from the suspects’ hideouts. The recovered arms include a 12.7 gun, LMG, RR 75, two RPG-7s, four G-3 rifles, four SMGs, three 12-bore repeaters, a 9mm pistol and ammunition of various types. Nine mobile phones and a Corolla car were also recovered.
Meanwhile, on the special instructions of SSP Kashmore Muhammad Murad Ghanghro, an intelligence-based raid operation was conducted against the robbers near Teen Pul within the limits of Kashmore police station under the leadership of ASP Kashmore Muhammad Noman. During the operation, the police detained 5 suspects were arrested. The police also demolished the hideouts of the dacoits.