Four unarmed civilians were killed in an incident of gang violence in the Basti Lashari area of Rahim Yar Khan, Express News reported on Monday.
The attack, attributed to suspected members of local criminal gangs, prompted Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar to demand an immediate report from the Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer (RPO ).
The IGP asked the Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) to ensure speedy arrest of those responsible.
Senior police officers, as well as forensic and crime scene teams, have already attended the scene to collect evidence and begin investigations.
According to the Punjab police spokesperson, the attack involved members of the Andhar, Shar and Kosh gangs.
Law enforcement launched an immediate operation, which resulted in an exchange of fire as officers pursued the suspects.
Police teams led by DSP Khanpur Azhar Iqbal and DSP Sadar Circle Khalid Mehmood are actively participating in efforts to apprehend the attackers.
Authorities have expressed confidence in their ability to neutralize the gang and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Pickpocket gang arrested
Police apprehended a gang of four pickpockets during a swift operation in 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 in busy areas of the city, such as markets and bus stations.
On the orders of SSP Mirpurkhas, SHO of city police station and inspector Momal Laghari of women police station carried out the operation. The women were arrested at a mall in Khasakpura, where they were caught pickpocketing from a citizen named Shaukat.
The gang, led by Zahida Khoso, hailed from Sakrand, a tehsil in Shaheed Benazirabad district. Zahida was previously arrested in connection with case number 10/2024. The gang mainly targeted women and men in busy shopping areas, stealing wallets and personal 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.
