The provincial cabinet of Sindh announced on Thursday their decision to launch a joint operation aimed at cleaning up dacoits in the katcha areas of three provinces – Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan.
The move was prompted by the frequent incidents of kidnapping for ransom and gangs of dacoits operating from the riverine areas of Sindh, attacking police. According to officials, the police of Punjab and Balochistan, Rangers, and Pakistan Army would participate in the operation.
The cabinet authorised the Inspector General of Police, Ghulam Nabi Memon, to coordinate with his counterparts in Balochistan and Punjab to plan the operation in the katcha areas. The cabinet approved an amount of Rs2.79 billion for the procurement of sophisticated Military-Grade Field and surveillance weapons for the same.
The meeting, presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, and concerned secretaries, among others.
During the meeting, the Secretary of the Home Department and Inspector General of Police briefed the cabinet about the joint operation in the katcha area of Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab.
Also read: Police to intensify Katcha area operation
They said that the procurement of sophisticated field weapons and surveillance equipment would be required for the operation. The IGP explained that the matter for the purchase of Military-Grade Weapons and Surveillance Systems was discussed in the 28th Provincial Apex Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sindh on January 5, 2023, and the proposal was approved.
The IGP also highlighted that the weapons and surveillance system would be necessary to control hardened criminals/gangs operating in the Katcha area of District Kashmore, Shikarpur, and Ghotki, equipped with sophisticated weapons.
The cabinet approved the proposal and also sanctioned the amount of Rs2.7 billion, directing the Home department to seek NOC from the Ministry of Interior for the purchase of the weapons.
This joint operation is expected to bring peace to the katcha areas of Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, and hopefully reduce the incidents of kidnapping for ransom and attacks on police by dacoits.
The collaboration of the police of three provinces, Rangers, and Pakistan Army is a positive step towards eliminating the criminal activities that have plagued the area for years.
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