Police kill 15 hardened criminals, arrest three

A policeman also died in the encounter in Ghotki, Kashmore.

SUKKUR:

In a 30-hour operation against outlaws in the kachcha areas, Ghotki and Kashmore police have killed 15 alleged hardened criminals and arrested three injured ones.

Three of these suspects were wanted bandits, one of whom carried head money worth Rs1 million while the other two carried head money worth Rs500,000 each. A policeman, Muhammad Sachal Mahar, also died during the operation.

The Ghotki and Kashmore police launched a joint operation following an alarming increase in crimes. Since most criminals live in the kachcha area, which falls on the border of both the districts, the police combined their forces.

On Sunday night, the police took an armoured personnel carrier and automatic weapons and cordoned off all entrance and exit points of the kachcha area. When they realised they were trapped, the alleged bandits opened fire at the police. Twelve suspects and the policeman died on Monday night.

According to SP Investi-gations Yar Mohammad Rind, the police arrested three injured suspects, Jabbar Shar, Zahid Shar and Dilo Shaikh. In an encounter in Gemro katcha on Tuesday morning, the police killed three more suspects, Ibrahim Shaikh alias Doctor, Nasrullah alias Fauji Shaikh and Nadir Shaikh.

Ibrahim carried head money of Rs1 million while Fauji and Nadir carried head money of Rs500,000 each. According to Rind, the deceased suspects include, Bhalo Shar, Jamal Malhan, Ghulam Nabi alias Shano Shaikh, Menglo Shar, Dilo Shar, Khudo Shar. The most-wanted criminal in the area, Sulto Shar, who is a 'symbol of terror' is still at large.

The policeman was buried in his village, Pinjal Mahar, near Mirpur Mathelo on Tuesday. Ghotki DPO Pir Mohammad Shah, Rind and other officers attended his last rites. Sachal Mahar was promoted to head constable after his death, which means that his family will receive his full salary until the time he would have turned 60 if he were alive. After this time, the family will receive pension. The government announced Rs2 million in compensation for his family and a job for his son.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2011.