Punjab Police File FIR Against 33 Bandits for Sadiqabad Attack

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Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 33 bandits for the murder of five policemen in a rocket launcher attack in Sadiqabad.

On August 1, 2025, the Crime Control Department (CCD) of Punjab Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 33 notorious bandits in connection with a deadly attack on a police checkpost near Mahi Chowk in Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan district. The FIR, lodged under charges of murder, attempted murder, and attack on police, follows a brutal assault by over 40 dacoits armed with rocket launchers and hand grenades, which left five constables, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Saleem, Nakheel, Khalil, and Ghazanfar, martyred and two others injured, according to a Punjab Police statement. The attack occurred in the Katcha area, a known stronghold for criminal gangs.

The incident, described by Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar as a coordinated effort by multiple bandit gangs, targeted the Sheikhani police post in darkness. Anwar, addressing reporters after the martyrs’ funeral, vowed that operations against Katcha dacoits would intensify, with police now equipped with armored personnel carriers, bullet-proof jackets, and thermal imaging technology to counter such threats. He noted that one bandit was killed in the exchange of fire, and a large-scale search operation was launched to apprehend the culprits. The IG emphasized that the morale of Punjab Police remains unbroken, and the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be in vain.

The Katcha region, spanning south Punjab and upper Sindh, has long been a haven for bandits, with previous operations failing to fully eradicate the threat. The CCD, established in February 2025 to combat organized crime, has intensified its efforts, conducting 453 encounters this year, resulting in 201 alleged criminals killed and 295 injured, according to official figures. The Sadiqabad attack highlights the escalating violence, with bandit gangs issuing threats against police on social media last month.

Local residents and police officials have called for stronger measures to dismantle criminal networks in the region. The Punjab Police spokesperson assured that those responsible for the attack would face justice, with ongoing operations targeting hideouts in Machka and Bhong areas. This incident underscores the urgent need for robust strategies to restore security in Punjab’s volatile Katcha region.