A fierce overnight encounter in Shikarpur ended with police killing nine armed bandits in a major operation across the riverine belt. According to officials, the operation targeted a notorious gang involved in kidnappings, robberies, and attacks on security forces, turning the area into a temporary battlefield as shots echoed for hours.
Police teams, backed by specialized units, moved in after intelligence indicated the gang’s movement deeper into the riverine hideouts. The suspects opened fire as soon as the raid began, forcing law-enforcement personnel to strike back with a coordinated counter-assault to push them out of defensive positions.
Authorities confirmed that the encounter intensified when the bandits attempted to escape using cover from thick vegetation. Police blocked exit routes and advanced cautiously, eventually overpowering the armed group after a prolonged gunfight that lasted well into the early morning.
Recovered weapons included assault rifles, ammunition boxes, and communication devices allegedly used to track police movements. Officials say the seized items show the gang had been planning further attacks, posing a serious threat to residents and law-enforcement teams operating in upper Sindh.
The successful operation has brought relief to local communities, especially villagers who had long reported extortion threats and robberies. Many residents praised the police for finally breaking the gang’s stronghold, which had created fear across several union councils for months.
Police stated that operations in the riverine belt will continue, with more teams being deployed to clear remaining hideouts. Authorities are confident that the latest breakthrough will significantly weaken criminal networks that operate in the difficult terrain and rely on smuggling routes for survival.
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