Katcha Dacoits Hijack Quetta Bus; 10 Rescued in Police Operation
Police and paramilitary forces successfully rescued 10 passengers after a bus traveling to Quetta was hijacked by bandits in the notorious Katcha area on late Monday night. The daring rescue operation continues as authorities work to free the remaining hostages.
The Hijacking Incident
The attack occurred late on Monday night when around 15 armed dacoits intercepted a Sadabahar Company coach traveling from Sadiqabad to Quetta. The bus was ambushed near the Murid Shaikh area, close to the Punjab-Sindh border, along the M-5 Motorway. According to eyewitnesses and social media videos, the attackers opened fire as soon as the bus stopped, injuring the driver before forcing several passengers off the bus.
Police Rescue Operation
In response, police and Rangers launched an overnight operation, successfully rescuing 10 of the kidnapped passengers. The operation took place in Sonmiani, where security forces exchanged gunfire with the bandits. At least two dacoits were reported injured during the operation. The rescued passengers were moved to safe locations after being freed.
To prevent the abductors from moving the hostages deeper into the region, all routes leading to the Katcha area were blocked. Security forces are still pursuing the remaining assailants, and the blockade remains in place.
The Ongoing Search for the Missing Passengers
Local media and eyewitnesses suggest that as many as 25 passengers may have been taken by the dacoits, although police have not yet confirmed the exact number. Authorities have stated that efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages are still ongoing.
Background: The Katcha Region’s Long History of Banditry
The Katcha belt, a stretch of riverine land along the Indus River that spans northern Sindh and southern Punjab, has long been notorious for gang activity. This area has been a hotspot for kidnappings, extortion, and highway robberies. Despite frequent crackdowns, the region’s dense vegetation and maze-like terrain make it difficult for law enforcement to maintain control, allowing criminal groups to operate with relative impunity.
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