Main suspect behind ambush in Katcha area killed by Punjab police in retaliatory attack

The Punjab Police on Friday announced that the main suspect behind the deadly rocket attack on police in Rahim Yar Khan’s Machka area was killed in a retaliatory attack.

The attack, which took place in the Katcha river area, left 12 policemen dead.

The region, notorious for its organized crime gangs, has long been a hotbed of kidnappings for ransom. Such gangs have been active in the riverine areas of southern Sindh and central Punjab for decades.

Police sources said about two dozen policemen were deployed at Machka Camp 2 in the riverine area. They were returning to Rahim Yar Khan in two police vans for their weekly holiday when one of their vehicles broke down due to stagnant floodwaters in the area.

Seeing policemen trapped in the rainwater, the river thieves fired missiles at the police party, killing 15 of them. Two policemen were injured in the attack and four were missing.

Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar confirmed to local media that both Punjab and Sindh police had launched a coordinated operation in the area, with 320 personnel from Punjab and additional troops from Sindh on the ground.

In a post on X, Punjab Police confirmed the death of the main suspect, Bashir Shar, in a retaliatory action following the attack. “The main suspect who led the attack on our officers, Bashir Shar, has met his fate,” the police statement said. The operation also resulted in injuries to five of Shar’s accomplices — Sanaullah Shar, Gada Ali, Kamlu Shar, Ramzan Shar and Gadi.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed IG Anwar and senior officials to oversee the operation in Rahim Yar Khan, while Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed his provincial police chief to work closely with Punjab authorities and provide all necessary support.

CM Maryam also directed the Punjab Home Minister to immediately launch an operation in the Katcha areas with the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in charge, a statement from her party, PML-N, said.

The attack marks a serious escalation of violence in the region, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to call for “immediate and effective action” against those responsible.