KARACHI: The Sindh Police achieved a significant breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown against bandits in the katcha (riverine) areas of northern Sindh, killing at least 12 most-wanted dacoits during a major operation in Ghotki district.
According to police officials, the fierce encounter took place late Thursday night in the katcha belt of Ghotki, where joint teams of Sindh Police launched an intelligence-based operation under the supervision of DIG Sukkur Faisal Abdullah Chachar. SSP Ghotki Anwar Khetran, SSP Sukkur Azhar Mughal, and DSP Obaro Abdul Qadir Soomro also took part in the operation.
DSP Soomro told The News that 12 hardened criminals, including several carrying government-announced head money, were gunned down after hours of heavy exchange of fire. “Among those killed was the most notorious dacoit, Shah Nawaz alias Shahoo, who carried a bounty of Rs5 million,” Soomro said, adding that around 10 others were seriously injured while their accomplices managed to escape.
He said police recovered the bodies of seven dacoits from the scene, while five bodies were carried away by their associates under the cover of darkness. “The operation is still ongoing in the affected katcha area, and further raids are being conducted to flush out remaining elements,” DIG Chachar added.
The slain dacoits were identified as members of the Shar gang, a notorious criminal network long involved in kidnappings, robberies, and deadly attacks on law enforcement personnel in northern Sindh. The gang, which operated mainly in the Ghotki, Sukkur, and Kashmore districts, had been active for over a decade and was considered one of the most violent groups in the region.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar praised the “outstanding performance” of the Sukkur Range Police, particularly the DIG Sukkur, SSPs of Ghotki and Sukkur, and DSP Soomro for what he termed “a major success in restoring public confidence.”
“Due to the police’s courageous and professional strategy, they have achieved a remarkable victory against the most fearsome outlaws. This operation has greatly boosted the morale of the force,” the minister said in a statement.
Lanjar reaffirmed that the Sindh government was fully committed to supporting the police in their anti-dacoit operations. “Sindh Police will not rest until all criminal elements are completely eliminated. Every possible measure will continue to be taken to ensure lasting peace and security across the province,” he added.
The katcha areas of upper Sindh, spanning districts such as Ghotki, Sukkur, Shikarpur, and Kashmore, have long been plagued by criminal gangs involved in kidnappings for ransom, highway robberies, and attacks on police convoys. Several major operations have been launched in recent years to dismantle these networks, but dense forests, difficult terrain, and strong local networks have allowed many criminals to evade capture.
The Sindh government recently intensified its efforts, deploying specialised anti-bandit units equipped with modern weapons, armoured personnel carriers, and drone surveillance to reclaim control of these no-go areas. The latest operation in Ghotki is seen as one of the most successful offensives against dacoits in recent years, signalling a renewed resolve by law enforcement agencies to restore peace in northern Sindh.
