RAHIM YAR KHAN: In the wee hours on Thursday night, bandits launched a rocket-propelled grenade attack on a police checkpoint in the riverine (Katcha) area, resulting in the martyrdom of five policemen.
In the retaliatory action, police killed one bandit and injured another. According to details, the bandit gangs from Andhar and Bukhrani launched a rocket-propelled grenade attack on an Elite Police post in the Shekhani area of Katcha. As a result, five Elite Force personnel were martyred, while two others survived miraculously. The martyred policemen were identified as Ghazanfar Abbas, Muhammad Irfan, Khalilur Rehman, Muhammad Saleem, and Nakheel Ahmed. Upon receiving information, District Police Officer (DPO) Irfan Ali Samo, accompanied by heavy police force, reached the site and launched a counter-assault on the hideouts of the bandits using heavy weaponry. However, taking advantage of the darkness and river waters, the criminals managed to escape.
During the operation, one bandit was killed and another was seriously injured. Their identities are yet to be confirmed.
Punjab IG Police Dr Usman Anwar also arrived urgently in Rahim Yar Khan and chaired an emergency meeting at the DPO office, where tribute was paid to the martyrs and a comprehensive review of the situation was conducted.
Later, funeral prayers for the martyrs were offered at the RY Khan Police Lines, attended by IGP Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, DG Rangers Punjab Brigadier Muhammad Suleman, RPO Bahawalpur Rai Babar Saeed, DPO Irfan Ali Samo, SSP Ghotki Anwar Khaitran, and a large number of local dignitaries and citizens.
The IGP Punjab stated that police would utilise all their resources to ensure peace in Rahim Yar Khan and across Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the incident and expressed their deep sorrow. They paid tribute to the martyred officers.
CM Maryam Nawaz is expected to visit Rahim Yar Khan in the coming days, during which she would meet the families of the martyrs, announce a special package for them, and chair a meeting regarding a grand operation in the Katcha area. The city remained in a state of mourning throughout the day following the martyrdom of five police officers.
Three martyred police personnel -- Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Salim and Nakheel belong to district Bahawalnagar. Muhammad Irfan and Muhammad Salim belong to tehsil Chishtian while Nakheel belongs to Bahawalnagar city.
The three martyred police personnel joined the Police Department on the same day on 26th of September 2022. They belonged to Basic Elite Course Badge No. 25.
