Mastermind of Rahim Yar Khan police attack killed

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Police claimed on Friday to have killed the mastermind of the audacious attack on law enforcers in Katcha area of Rahim Yar Khan.

Twelve policemen were martyred and eight others injured when a band of dacoits attacked the convoy with rocket launchers and firing near Machka police camp II here.

A Punjab police spokesman claimed that teams of law enforcers began operation and shot dead prime suspect in the Rahim Yar Khan police attack Bashir Shar. Police also injured Shar’s five accomplices including Naseer and Gadikosh.

Punjab IGP Usman Anwar said operation to eliminate gangsters in Katcha area was under way. All those involved in attack on police would bite the dust, he resolved.

Hours earlier, IGP Dr Anwar, along with Additional IG Special Branch Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional IG CTD Waseem Sial and other senior officers, reached Rahim Yar Khan.

Rahim Yar Khan: Slain officers’ funeral prayers to be held after Friday prayers

The provincial police chief and others will inquire after the injured in hospital and also visit the spot where the attack took place.

According to police, 20 policemen were on their way to rejoin their duty in two vehicles after their day-off when one of the vehicles broke down. A group of dacoits attacked the police contingent with rocket launchers. Later, they resorted to indiscriminate firing on the vehicles.

Eleven policemen were martyred on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries in hospital, they added. Five policemen, who went missing in the mayhem, were later recovered.

After the incident was reported, a heavy contingent of police from across the district was called to the scene under the command of a DPO. The injured policemen were shifted to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan