Two more Katcha dacoits surrender in Rajanpur as total reaches 54

Ringleaders including Abdul Majeed, Ghulam Nabi Umrani surrender; hideouts destroyed in ongoing anti-dacoit operation

RAJANPUR:

Punjab Police's ongoing operation against criminals in the Katcha (riverine) area continues, with two more highly wanted dacoits surrendering during operations in Rajanpur on Wednesday.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, Abdul Majeed and Ghulam Nabi Umrani surrendered to authorities during the operation. With these surrenders, the total number of dacoits who have laid down their arms during the operation has reached 54.

The spokesperson revealed that those who surrendered include ringleader dacoits of various gangs. The surrendered criminals were wanted in cases involving the martyrdom of police personnel, murder, kidnapping and robbery.

Read: 11 gang members surrender in Rajanpur’s Katcha as police target Umrani gang

District Police Officer (DPO) Rajanpur Muhammad Imran stated that the arrested dacoits will be given exemplary punishment in accordance with the law.

A major police operation is currently underway in Katcha Karachi and Katcha Umrani, the DPO said, adding that with the help of drones, dacoits' hideouts are being targeted. During the operation, several hideouts were destroyed and several dacoits were seriously injured, police stated.

Over the weekend, at least 11 highly wanted members of the Umrani gang surrendered to police during a targeted operation in the Katcha Umrani, Sukhani and Katcha Karachi areas.

The hideouts and bunkers of the dacoits were destroyed, while the surrendered suspects handed over heavy weapons and other arms to law enforcement authorities.

Meanwhile, 10 dacoits from the Katcha area laid down their weapons and surrendered to police in Rahim Yar Khan. DPO Irfan Samo confirmed that the surrendering men belonged to the Kosh and Sukhani gangs.

Read More: Ghotki police sign deal with dacoits

In a separate development on Saturday, Ghotki police entered into an agreement with dacoits belonging to the Shar gang. As part of the arrangement, police will not use armoured vehicles during operations in the Katcha areas.

Last week, notorious Katcha area dacoit Mera Lathani, who was carrying head money of Rs10 million, surrendered to police along with accomplices Fida alias Rathor Lathani and Zulfi Lathani in Rahim Yar Khan.

Earlier, in October last year, at least 72 wanted dacoits from Sindh's Shikarpur district also laid down their weapons. Many of them were carrying bounties.

The surrenders were carried out under President Asif Ali Zardari's surrender policy approved in 2024, aimed at restoring peace and reclaiming the Katcha areas falling under the Sukkur and Larkana divisions. Under the policy, surrendered bandits must face pending criminal cases before becoming eligible for inclusion in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).