GHOTKI/LARKANA/KARACHI: Five policemen, including the district superintendent of police and two SHOs, were martyred in a gun battle with dacoits in Katcha area of Ghotki in Sindh in the wee of Sunday.
According to a police spokesman, police team led by Ubauro DSP Abdul Malik Bhutto, SHO Deen Muhammad Leghari and SHO Abdul Malik Kamangar conducted raid in Katcha area of Ronti for recovery of three persons kidnapped from Ronti Road area of Ubauro Taluka of the district last week.
However, the bandits stormed a police camp set up as base camp for operation in Ronti, and amid the gun battle, five police officials embraced martyrdom including DSP Abdul Malik Bhutto and two Station House Officers while several policemen including SHO Ronti Police were injured who were shifted to Taluka Hospital Ubauro from where they were later referred to Sukkur hospital.
The dacoits also held 20 policemen hostage in the camp and took control of 10 police vehicles. Following the attack, policemen from across the district and Sindh Rangers personnel were called in for operation against the dacoits.
The police camp was set up in Katcha area to recover the hostages from Ronti area, said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Javed Jiskani. The DIG said that a gang of over 150 dacoits attacked the police camp, killing five officers including a DSP and two SHO.
DSP buried with full honor in Larkana
Martyred DSP Abdul Malik Bhutto was laid to rest with full honor at his ancestral graveyard Abu Bakr in Larkana city on Sunday evening.
A smartly-turned-out contingent of the Sindh Police presented guard of honor and last respects to the martyr.
He left behind two widows (wives), three daughters, five sons and two brothers, to recall his sweet memories.
The funeral prayers were offered at Eid Gah Lahori Muhallah in Larkana city.
Wing Commander Shahbaz Rangers Larkana, Lt-Col Deerem Muhammad Baig, DIG Police Larkana Range Mazhar Nawaz Sheikh, SSP Dr Muhammad Imran Khan, SSP Jacobabad, SP Headquarters Asif Raza Baloch, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Political Secretary Jameel Ahmed Soomro, PPP Leader Tariq Anwar Sial, former Mayor Muhammad Aslam Sheikh, Khair Muhammad Sheikh, PPP District General Secretary Ejaz Ahmed Laghari, JUI Leader Nasir Khalid Mehmood Soomro, police officials, officials of Rangers, relatives of the martyred police officer and area people attended his last rites.
FUNERAL PRAYERS OF MARTYRED FIVE POLICEMEN
The funeral prayers of martyred five policemen including a DSP, two SHOs and two constables who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty yesterday night in Ghotki was offered at Police Headquarters Mirpur Mathelo here Sunday afternoon. A large number of people including MNA Sardar Mohammad Bux Mahar, Pakistan Rangers Wing Commander Brig Ajmal Khan, SSP Ghotki, journalists, advocates, social activists, local citizens and family members and relatives of martyred policemen and other police officials attended the funeral.
Later, talking to newsmen Ghotki Police Chief Tanveer Ahmed Tunio said: “We salute our real heroes who sacrificed their precious lives in the line of duty.” However their sacrifices would never be forgotten he said, adding that as a nation “we are indebted to our martyrs who added a golden chapter to the history by their sacrifices. Martyr’s families are like their family members while police department would not leave alone at any stage,” he added.
Police sources said that the Ghotki district police had launched a massive operation in Katcha area for recovery of abductees who had been kidnapped from various parts of the district. In this connection, the police had established a main camp within the limits of Ronti area of Katcha. According to available sources, last late night a group as many as 150 armed persons attacked the police camp with heavy weapons where dozans of police officers were presented on that time. Resultantly Deputy Superintendent of Police Abdul Malik Bhutto, SHO Mirpur Mathelo Abdul Malik Kamanghar, SHO Deen Mohammad Leghari, constables – Saleem Chachar and Jatoi Pitafi were martyred. However, dozen of police personnel were also injured in the attack.
BILAWAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACK IN GHOTKI
Chairman PPP and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the attack on police party by criminal elements in Kacha area near Rawanti town of Ghotki district.
In a statement issued from Media Cell Bilawal House on Sunday, the PPP chairman expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of five police officials including the DSP and two SHOs in the incident.
“I salute to Shaheed DSP Abdul Malik Bhutto, Shaheed SHOs Deen Muhammad Laghari and Abdul Malik Kamangar and two policemen Shaheed Salim Chachar and Shaheed Jatoi for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty and my heart goes out to the families of martyrs”, he added.
The Foreign Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of SHO Ghulam Ali Brohi and other officials, who were injured in the attack.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the sacrifices of the Sindh Police to protect the lives and property of the people and maintain law and order are unparalleled. “I am sure that the criminals involved in this henious crime will meet their logical fate,” he said.
ZARDARI CONDEMNS ATTACK ON POLICE CAMP IN GHOTKI
President Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack on the police camp in Ghotki district in Sindh. In a statement issued here on Sunday, he expressed regret over the martyrdom of DSP Abdul Malik Bhutto. Zardari also expressed grief over the martyrdom of SHOs Deen Muhammad, Abdul Malik, Sepoys Saleem Chachar and Jatoi.
“The criminal elements who attacked the police camp cannot be forgiven,” Zardari said. He said that the attackers deserve severe punishment. “The sacrifices of the Sindh police officers are unforgettable.”
Asif Zardari prayed for the departed souls as well as for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers and SHO Ghulam Ali.
MORE CHECK POSTS TO SECURE KACHA
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday asked the police to set up additional check posts in the Kacha area of Sadiqabad district to clamp down on robbers and dacoits.
According to a private news channel, the CM had taken notice of outlaws operating in the Kacha area and using modern weapons against police.
Voicing serious concerns over security issues in Kacha, he said the provincial government would provide all necessary equipment to the police to ensure peace and tranquility in the far-flung areas of Sindh.
He admitted that there were security issues in the rural areas of Sindh, and assured that the provincial government would utilize all available resources to address the genuine grievances of the public.
