Rahim Yar Khan attack on police van killed 11 officers & 7 injured

Kacha bandits launched a rocket fire attack on a police van which killed 11 officers and injured 7 in the riverine area of Rahim Yar Khan. This horrific incident happened in the Machka area on August 23, 2024 night.

Two police vans carrying over twenty officers were caught in the rain in the area when bandits fired rockets at them. According to local enforcement officials, at least eleven police officers died, seven were injured, and five went missing.

Punjab: In the Machka area of Rahim Yar Khan, armed individuals attacked a convoy of two police vans carrying 20 officers with rockets and grenades. The attack resulted in the death of 11 officers and left 9 others injured. pic.twitter.com/AdL06GNEsG
— Ruzhn Baluch (@baluchruzhn) August 22, 2024

Some sources are reporting the death toll at 16. Authorities rushed injured officers right away to the hospital. Meanwhile, one injured officer died on the way to the hospital.

ماچھکہ: اطلاعات کے مطابق پولیس مقابلے میں اب تک 16 پولیس اہلکار شہید ہوچکے ہیں اور 20 سے زائد زخمی ہیں

پولیس کی 2 گاڑیاں ماچھکہ کے علاقے میں بارش میں پھنس گئی تھیں جس پر ڈاکوؤں نے راکٹ لانچر سے فائر کر دیئے.#RahimYarKhan pic.twitter.com/9Hgjs9BDpi
— Malik Ali Raza (@MalikAliiRaza) August 22, 2024

Mohsin Naqvi, the Interior Minister, condemned the bandit’s attack on a police van in Rahim Yar Khan. He paid tribute to martyred police officers who lost their lives in battle.

Mohsin also prayed for injured officers to heal quickly. He promised that the government would support the families of victim police officers.

The gruesome attack on Punjab Police in Katcha Area is not only condemned as Minister of Interior but also as a Patriotic Pakistani. The attack, which has resulted in a heavy loss of life, shows the unwavering commitment of the Police Force to fight with such a menace. May Allah…
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 22, 2024

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz released a statement expressing her condolences over the deaths of police officers. She vowed that they would always honor the sacrifices of police officers. She gave concerned authorities orders to find the missing police officers right away.

Moreover, she asked for a report from the Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar on the Rahim Yar Khan incident.

11 police jawans embraced shahadat in a rocket launcher attack by Kacha gangs in Machka. It is indeed very sad but this will not go unavenged. My team under the supervision of Home Secretary, IG and CTD has been dispatched with clear directions to sort them out decisively.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 22, 2024

Click here to read the updates on the terror attack at DI Police Station that martyred 10 cops and 6 injured

Following her orders, the Additional IG Special Branch, the Additional IG Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and other relevant officers departed for Rahim Yar Khan.

Despite several operations to remove them, bandit organizations in riverine areas have increased. It challenges the provincial administrations of Sindh and Punjab while upholding law and order.

A committee tasked with reviewing the National Action Plan’s Implementation held a meeting in April. It decided to begin a cooperative operation between police officers of Sindh and Punjab against notorious bandits operating in kacha areas of Sindh. The meeting happened at National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) headquarters.