GHOTKI: All passengers kidnapped after armed bandits attacked a bus near Ubauro in Sindh’s Ghotki district have been recovered, with police confirming that one of the abductees was found dead after the security operation.
The incident occurred on the Guddu-Kashmore Road near Murid Shakh, where more than 20 bandits stopped the bus, opened fire, and broke its windows before abducting 14 passengers, Sindh Police confirmed.
Earlier reports had suggested that 19 passengers were taken, but police clarified that 14 were abducted, as the bus conductor had not been able to provide the exact number, DSP Obaro Abdul Qadir Soomro said.
During the ensuing operation, the police cordoned off the area and set up checkpoints.
An exchange of fire took place with the bandits in the Somiani area, in which a police officer was injured. The attackers also fired rockets at a police armoured vehicle, DSP Soomro added.
Authorities employed drones to track the bandits, forcing them to flee. In the operation, 13 hostages were rescued unharmed, while one passenger was found deceased. Some recovered passengers sustained injuries and were provided medical treatment.
DIG Sukkur Faisal Abdullah Chachar said the Sukkur Range of police is actively pursuing the bandits in the riverine katcha areas, where dense fog and standing sugarcane fields are complicating operations.
Several bandits were reported injured during the encounter, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects and recover any remaining abductees.
