Sindh police have conducted 113 encounters in the past month, killing 27 dacoits, injuring 82, and arresting 123 suspects, Sindh IGP Javed Alam Odho said. The operations target organized crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs in the Katcha belt. Authorities have also recovered 15 abductees, some held captive for up to three years.
Odho said the Katcha region has long been a hub for kidnapping for ransom, honey-trapping, and criminal networks. Gangs lured victims through fake sales, online traps, and women’s voices, then abducted them to riverine areas. Criminals had occupied state land and used ransom money to buy weapons, including war-grade arms that at times outmatched police firepower.
Read more: Joint katcha operation targets riverine bandits
The IGP said operations would continue until the writ of the state is fully restored. “Our effort is to give bandits a befitting response—either eliminating them or forcing surrender,” Odho stated. He added that many suspects were now voluntarily contacting authorities, while those refusing to surrender would be dealt with firmly. Some hostages remain in captivity, but their number is uncertain.
Odho highlighted improvements in policing, saying previously inaccessible areas are now under control. Joint operations with Punjab Police and Rangers have enhanced coordination, while infrastructure development such as bridges in Kashmore and Ghotki will improve access. He also announced plans to revive a dedicated Katcha force supported by aerial surveillance and inter-provincial coordination.
Read more: Sindh announces major crackdown on dacoits in katcha belt
Finally, the IGP called media support essential in combating crime. He urged journalists to visit operational areas to report progress accurately. Odho described the Katcha operations as a “moral victory” for police, adding that once criminal networks are dismantled, normal life will return to the region.