In a devastating incident, at least 11 police officers were killed and seven others injured when heavily armed bandits attacked their convoy in Pakistans eastern Punjab province on Thursday. The convoy was returning from weekly duties in a remote area of the Rahim Yar Khan district when one of the vehicles broke down, leaving the officers vulnerable to a sudden and brutal assault.Ambush in Rahim Yar KhanThe attack occurred as the police convoy was navigating through a deserted stretch of the district. As one of the vehicles developed a mechanical malfunction, the convoy was ambushed by bandits armed with guns and rocket-propelled grenades, who unleashed a barrage of rocket fire on the stranded officers.The Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer was on the scene at the time of the attack. In response, Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar quickly took notice of the incident, requesting an immediate report from the Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer (RPO). Dr. Anwar, accompanied by several senior police officials, rushed to the location to assess the situation.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, 2024National outcry and condemnationThe attack has sparked outrage across Pakistan, with leaders condemning the violence and vowing swift action. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly denounced the assault, directing authorities to take immediate and effective action against the riverine bandits responsible for the attack.Asif Ali Zardari, the former President of Pakistan, also condemned the attack, expressing his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen officers. Zardari emphasized the need for stringent measures against criminals operating in the riverine regions and issued a stern warning that such attacks on police and law enforcement personnel would not be tolerated.Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, vowed that the attack would not go unavenged. She announced that a team of officials had been dispatched to the area with clear directions to decisively neutralize the perpetrators. Nawazs statement underscored her commitment to bringing those responsible to justice and ensuring the safety of law enforcement agencies in the region.Rising security concerns in PakistanPakistan has seen an uptick in militant attacks in recent years, but such a high number of police casualties in a single incident is rare. Security forces frequently conduct operations against bandits who exploit the rural and forested areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces for their criminal activities. The attack on Thursday, one of the deadliest on police in recent memory, has drawn nationwide condemnation from the countrys leadership and heightened concerns over security in these regions.
