Four unarmed civilians were killed in an incident of gang violence in Basti Lashari area of Rahim Yar Khan, Express News reported on Monday.
The attack, attributed to suspected members of local criminal gangs, prompted Punjab’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Usman Anwar, to demand an immediate report from the Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer (RPO).
The IGP has directed Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) to ensure speedy arrest of those responsible.
Senior police officers, along with crime scene and forensic teams, have already reached the spot to collect evidence and initiate investigations.
According to the Punjab Police spokesperson, the attack involved members of the Andhar, Shar and Kosh gangs.
Law enforcement agencies launched an immediate operation, resulting in a shootout as officers pursued the suspects.
Police teams led by DSP Khanpur Azhar Iqbal and DSP Sadar Circle Khalid Mehmood are actively engaged in efforts to nab the attackers.
The authorities have expressed confidence in their ability to neutralize the gang and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Gang of female pickpockets busted
Police busted a gang of four women pickpockets in a swift operation at a busy market in Mirpurkhas last week.
According to a police report, the detained women were part of an inter-district gang involved in pickpocketing incidents in crowded areas of the city such as markets and bus stations.
On the order of SSP Mirpurkhas, SHO of Town Police Station and Inspector Momal Laghari of Women Police Station conducted the operation. The women were arrested from a mall in Khasakpura where they were caught red-handed pickpocketing a citizen named Shaukat.
The gang, led by Zahida Khoso, hailed from Sakrand, a tehsil of District Shaheed Benazirabad. Zahida had previously been arrested in case number 10/2024. The gang primarily targeted women and men in busy shopping areas, stealing wallets and belongings.
DPO Rahim Yar Khan condemned the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and assured the public that those responsible will face the full force of the law. “Innocent lives have been lost and we are determined to deliver justice quickly,” he said.
