Quetta-bound bus passengers rescued after major Katcha operation
Sindh police on Tuesday confirmed that all passengers abducted from a Quetta-bound bus have been rescued following a large-scale joint security operation in the Katcha area of Soomiani in Ghotki district.
The incident occurred on Monday when more than 20 armed dacoits from the riverine Katcha belt ambushed a passenger bus, injured the driver and abducted 19 male passengers. Women and children travelling on the bus were left unharmed.
Following the attack, a coordinated raid was launched by police teams from Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur and Kashmore, with the Rangers also taking part in the operation. Senior officers, including Sukkur DIG Faisal Abdullah Chachar, reached Ghotki to supervise the action alongside Ghotki SSP Muhammad Anwar Khetran, Sukkur SSP Azhar Khan Mughal and Khairpur SSP Samiullah Soomro.
Police officials said all access routes leading into the Katcha area were sealed to prevent the suspects from fleeing. During an exchange of fire, two suspected dacoits were injured, while a police constable sustained a hand injury.
DSP Abdul Qadir Soomro confirmed that 14 hostages were initially recovered during the operation, while the remaining abductees were rescued in subsequent actions. However, one hostage died of a suspected heart attack while hiding in a sugarcane field before he could be recovered. Two others were injured and shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The deceased’s body was transported to Ubauro hospital for medico-legal procedures.
Clarifying jurisdictional concerns, Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer Irfan Samoon said the kidnapping did not occur in Punjab but on a link road near Guddu within Sindh’s territory. He added that all surviving hostages are now safe and receiving necessary care.
The successful operation has brought relief to the families of the victims and renewed focus on security challenges along inter-provincial routes passing through remote Katcha areas.
