Reports of the deal surfaced as 10 dacoits from the Katcha area laid down their weapons and surrendered to the police in Rahim Yar Khan. District Police Officer (DPO) Irfan Samo confirmed that the surrendering men belonged to the Kosh and Sukhani gangs.
Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab borders Sindh’s Ghotki district. According to DPO Samo, the surrendered dacoits were wanted by both Sindh and Punjab police in cases involving serious crimes, including kidnapping and armed robbery.
The armed gang members appeared at the Garhi Khair Muhammad Jhakk police post, which falls within the jurisdiction of Bhong police station, and formally surrendered. “The arrested suspects will have to face cases in courts, and the police will not grant them any concessions in this regard,” DPO Samo said.
Police identified the surrendered individuals as Tariq, Hakim, Baloch, Meva, Sukhani and Saleem Dashti from the Sukhani gang, and Jeevan, Shah Paro, Khathora and Qurban Banjho from the Kosh gang.
Since the launch of the operation in the Katcha area of Rahim Yar Khan, police say positive results have emerged. Officials claim the sustained action has severely restricted the movement of dacoits, making it increasingly difficult for them to operate or leave the riverine belt.
A few days earlier, the head of the Lathani gang, Meera alias Mero Lathani, who carried a bounty of Rs100 million, also surrendered to the police in Rahim Yar Khan. Police say facilitators operating in both Katcha and Pakka (settled) areas are now being rounded up as well.
Meanwhile, a written agreement has been finalised between the police and the Shar gang in the Ronti Katcha area of Ghotki district. According to a Ghotki police spokesperson, proclaimed offenders belonging to the Shar gang have expressed readiness to surrender.
Under the agreement, police will be allowed to carry out operations freely in the Katcha areas, while local tribes will assume responsibility for the security of police personnel. In return, police will refrain from deploying armoured vehicles during these operations.
Sources say the agreement also includes a condition barring the dacoits from sheltering proclaimed offenders from other tribes or gangs. Providing refuge to members of gangs such as Indhar, Lulayi and Jagirani will be treated as a criminal offence.
According to the police spokesperson, it has also been agreed to completely curb honey-trap and phone-based kidnappings. Tribal cooperation has been declared essential to keeping the area free of kidnapping gangs.
The development comes amid growing fear among dacoits over the ongoing operation in the Katcha areas of Ghotki, prompting some to surface. Notorious dacoit Rano Shar released a video on social media, urging others to release between 10 and 20 abductees by nightfall.