Martyred SHO laid to rest in Ghotki

SUKKUR:

Ghotki SHO Jarwar Muhammad Hassan Kolachi, who was killed on Wednesday evening during an exchange of fire with outlaws in the katcha [riverine] area of Raunti, was laid to rest late in the night on the same day.

The encounter was part of an operation against criminals in the katcha area going on for the last 20 days.

SHO Kolachi, along with a heavy contingent of police personnel equipped with an armoured personnel carrier (APC), raided the hideout of wanted suspects, Sulto Shar and Gudu Shar, in the riverine area of Raunti. Police officials cordoned the entire area off, sealing all the entry and exit points of the forest. Upon seeing the law enforcers, the outlaws opened fire and a shoot-out ensued.

The police continued to move ahead with the help of the APC and the suspects, in a desperate attempt to escape, fired rockets and mortar shells on the APC. One of the rockets pierced through the body of the carrier and hit SHO Kolachi who died on the spot. Sulto and Gudu fled the scene after his death.

Three other policemen, Muhammad Ramzan Tagar, Bajhi Sawand and Muhammad Anwar Mirani were injured and taken to Rahim Yar Khan Hospital.

The body of the deceased SHO was taken to Ubauro Hospital for medico-legal formalities and later handed over to the family.

SHO Kolachi was a resident of Tando Tabhai Muhalla, Ghotki. He had joined the police force as an ASI in 2002. His father, Muhammad Malook Kolachi, is a retired DSP. He was buried in the Khaki Shah graveyard of Ghotki. Sukkur DIG Kamran Fazal, Ghotki SSP Saqib Sultan Mehmood, and other DSPs and SHOs of the Ghotki district attended his last rites.

Meanwhile, the operation against Sulto, who has been a symbol of terror for the residents of Ghotki and Kashmore for the past many years, has been halted for the time being and will resume after two days, said sources in the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2015.