Opp blasts govt over RY Khan ambush

Questions law enforcement safety, government priorities

LAHORE:

Opposition parties have extended their condolences to the families of the police officers killed in a recent attack in Rahim Yar Khan, while voicing deep concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The tragic incident, in which approximately a dozen police officers were killed in a rocket attack by riverine bandits, has sparked strong reactions from political leaders.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed alarm over the state of law enforcement, questioning the safety of the general public if the police themselves are not secure.

He also raised concerns about how the bandits were able to amass such a large arsenal of weapons. Shaukat Mehmood Basra, the Punjab Information Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life and affirmed PTI's solidarity with the families of the martyred officers.

He prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the attack. Basra criticised the provincial government, accusing the current leadership of leaving Punjab, the country's largest province, vulnerable to banditry.

He alleged that the Inspector General of Punjab Police is more focused on serving the interests of the provincial administration than on law enforcement, leading to a decline in police morale.

Basra argued that the police could better handle threats and protect themselves if they were not preoccupied with political directives from the Punjab chief minister, such as targeting PTI workers.

He condemned the government for allowing bandits to operate freely in Punjab, armed with heavy weaponry, including rocket launchers, which were used in the deadly attack. He described the situation as "bandit rule," lamenting that even law enforcement officers are no longer safe in the province.

In a social media post, PTI senior leader Mian Aslam Iqbal condemned the attack on the police van, which resulted in the tragic deaths of nearly a dozen officers.

He stressed the need for the Punjab Inspector General to shift focus away from political vendettas, particularly against Tehreek-e-Insaf, and instead prioritize the safety and protection of police personnel.

Iqbal called for a renewed commitment to the well-being and security of the police force, which he argued is being undermined by political distractions.

The attack in Rahim Yar Khan has sparked widespread concern about the security situation in Punjab. Reports indicate that basic standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not followed, such as providing armoured vehicles for personnel during transfers.

Questions have also been raised about the decision to move police personnel in the evening, contrary to SOPs that mandate daytime movement, and the failure to involve local communities in ensuring the safety of the officers.

Additionally, the choice of a flood-affected road for the transfer, despite the availability of safer routes, has come under criticism.

The incident occurred in the Machchka area of Rahim Yar Khan, where bandits attacked two police vehicles, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 officers.

This marks the third major attack on police in the region in recent times, highlighting the urgent need for improved security measures and professionalism within the force.