Police kill main suspect of rocket attack on cops in Rahim Yar Khan's Katcha area

• IG pledges to bring all attackers to justice.
• CM Maryam Nawaz lauds prompt police action.
• Interior minister says martyrs' sacrifices will not go in vain.

The main culprit involved in a rocket attack that left 12 policemen dead in the riverine area of Rahim Yar Khan has been killed, the Punjab police said on Friday, pledging that all miscreants involved in the assault will be "brought to justice".

The announcement from the police came a day after bandits launched the rocket launcher attack on policemen whose mobile van got stuck in rainwater in Machka area of the Punjab district, leaving dozen policemen dead and six others wounded.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the Punjab police said that the bandit Bashir Shar had been killed in the action while his accomplices including Sanaullah Shar, Gada Ali, Kamlu Shar, Ramzan Shar and Gadi were wounded.

A day earlier, two police vehicles carrying around 22 policemen were attacked by bandits in Rahim Yar Khan after one of the vans broke down in low-level flooding.

The gang used rocket launchers to target the stranded officers.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar expressed his resolve to bring all the bandits involved in the attack "to their logical end".

"The operation will continue until the perpetrators are eliminated," the police statement said.

Responding to the development, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz lauded the police for prompt retaliation. “We will make a firm resolve to purge the Katcha area from the dacoits and the Punjab government cannot forget the precious sacrifices of the police martyrs.”

“The terrorists involved in the martyrdom of police personnel will be taken to task,” she added.

Earlier today, the funeral prayers for all the police martyrs were offered at the Sadiq Shaheed Police Lines Rahim Yar Khan. Those who attended the funeral include Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, IGP Anwar and Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, besides a large number of senior police and military officials, police personnel, public, and relatives of martyrs.

Naqvi vows stern action against attackers

Meanwhile, the interior minister visited police personnel receiving treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan.

Speaking to the media, he said the great sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain. Expressing resolve to root out robbers from the Kachha area, he said that the federal government would provide complete support to the Punjab government in this regard.

The minister also emphasised that those involved in the heinous act would be made an example, adding that the criminals would be awarded the harshest punishment under the law.

The security czar also presided over a high-level meeting at the Rahim Yar Khan airport earlier today. He underscored the need for robust security measures and instructed authorities to equip operational forces with modern weapons and safety equipment.

The minister directed all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Ordering a coordinated operation against the perpetrators, Naqvi stated that they would be dealt with “iron hands”.