ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Friday decided to launch a coordinated operation against criminal gangs that have operated for decades in the riverine border areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces, following a rocket launcher attack by them on a police vehicle a day earlier that killed 12 law enforcement personnel.
The criminal gangs have benefited from the rugged terrain and dense forests of the region, known as the Kacha area, turning it into their stronghold and using it for armed robberies, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.
Over the years, the region has seen numerous law enforcement operations aimed at curbing the activities of these groups, but the challenging terrain has made these efforts difficult.
The criminal gangs are also known to be well-armed and sometimes have local support, further complicating efforts to fully eradicate them.
“A very tragic incident occurred, and our 12 brave policemen embraced martyrdom,” Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said during a high-level meeting at the Rahim Yar Khan Airport where he was briefed about the incident.
“We will deal with the miscreants with an iron hand and go to the last extent to avenge the attackers,” he continued. “We will not rest until we avenge the blood of our brave sons.”
According to a statement circulated by the interior ministry, Naqvi ordered an “effective and coordinated operation” against the criminal gangs while interacting with Rangers and senior police officials.
He emphasized the need for safety measures concerning the operational forces in the region.
He also directed that the forces participating in the operation be equipped with modern weapons and safety gear.
The attack on the police vehicle took place while they were traveling through Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab and their van broke down due to low-level flooding.
A police statement on Friday morning said the main culprit behind the deadly attack was killed in an overnight operation.
Government plans ‘coordinated operation’ against criminals in central Pakistan after 12 policemen killed
https://arab.news/9qg2a
Government plans ‘coordinated operation’ against criminals in central Pakistan after 12 policemen killed
- Criminal gangs based in Punjab’s riverine areas fired a rocket launcher at a police van which had broken down
- Pakistan’s interior minister says the government ‘will not rest until we avenge the blood of our brave sons’
Pakistan expresses solidarity with Australia as gunmen kill at least 12 in Bondi Beach shooting
- Gunmen targeted people gathered at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach to celebrate Jewish Hannukah festival
- Pakistan, itself a victim of “terrorism,” condemns violence against innocent civilians, says President Zardari
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed solidarity with Australia on Sunday as gunmen killed at least 12 people and wounded a dozen others in the Bondi Beach shooting that targeted the Jewish community in the country.
New South Wales (NSW) police said two people had been taken into custody, and the Australian Broadcasting Corp. said one of at least two gunmen was among those killed. Around a dozen people were taken to local hospitals after the shooting, an NSW ambulance spokesperson said.
The attackers targeted a large group gathered at the northern end of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, near or at Bondi Park playground, as per news reports, when the attack happened. Gunmen attacked people who were there to celebrate an event related to the Jewish festival of Hannukah.
“President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed sorrow over the tragic shooting in Sydney, conveyed condolences to the victims’ families & wished the injured a speedy recovery,” the president of Pakistan’s official account on X wrote.
“Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism, stands in solidarity with & condemns violence against innocent civilians.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the Sydney attack, expressing condolences with victims of the incident.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he wrote on X.
As per international media reports, one of the gunmen has been identified as Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s southwest. His country of origin remains unclear.
One of the world’s most famous beaches, Bondi is typically crowded with locals and tourists, especially on warm weekend evenings.
Videos circulating on X appeared to show people on the beach and nearby park scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens could be heard. One video showed a man dressed in a black shirt firing a large weapon before being tackled by a man in a white T-shirt who wrestled his weapon off him. A different man was seen firing a weapon from a pedestrian bridge.
Another video showed two men pressed onto the ground by uniformed police on a small pedestrian bridge. Officers could be seen trying to resuscitate one of the men. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
The attack came almost exactly 11 years after a lone gunman took 18 people hostage at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney. Two hostages and the gunman were killed after a 16-hour standoff.
