Massive' operation

Sindh’s operation against Katcha belt dacoits aims to restore order in a long-troubled region plagued by violence

The Sindh government's decision to carry out a "massive" operation against the dacoits of the katcha belt is a long-overdue but nevertheless courageous step in restoring law and order to an area that has been plagued by violence and lawlessness for decades. As announced by Home Minister Zia-ul Hassan Lanjar, the authorities will deploy all available resources as well as modern equipment to dismantle these entrenched criminal networks that have terrorised travellers, villagers and entire communities.

The katcha areas that stretch across districts including Kashmore, Ghotki, Shikarpur and Jacobabad, have vast areas of uncultivated land under occupation, which serves as an ideal hideout for bandits. These bandits — enjoying political backing — are notorious for robberies, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and bloody tribal feuds. They exploit this isolated terrain and weak law enforcement to ambush motorists and travellers, and spark fear across provincial borders for anyone passing by.

Despite the notoriety of their crimes, several efforts to curtail them have failed time and again. Over the years, police and rangers have conducted targeted operations and sweeps and have also enacted a 'Sindh Surrender Policy' that allows dacoits to surrender arms in exchange for protection for their families and possibly shortened sentences. In October 2025, as many as 72 dacoits surrendered to the authorities as a result of this policy. But this progress has been fleeting and incomplete. Many dacoits are still at large.

This latest push, which is set to be a joint operation of Punjab and Sindh forces, must be taken seriously. The operation must be given sufficient momentum, political backing and logistical support - all without compromise. Only then will this combined effort show any promise in eradicating this decades-old menace once and for all, and the state can move beyond half-measures to bring lasting peace to the region.