At least 11 police officers were killed and seven others injured when gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades ambushed a police convoy in the Kacha town of Punjab province on Thursday, according to local authorities.
The attack occurred in the Rahim Yar Khan district, a region notorious for harbouring heavily armed bandits who operate in remote, rural areas along the Indus River. The officers were on patrol in the deserted area, searching for criminals known to hide in the region, when they were ambushed.
According to a statement from the Punjab inspector general’s office, the attackers launched their assault after one of the police vehicles broke down while passing through accumulated rainwater near farm fields. The convoy was then targeted with rocket launchers, resulting in one of the deadliest attacks on police in recent years.
Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, authorities believe the gunmen were likely bandits, not members of a formal armed group. Kacha is infamous for being a hideout for robbers who evade law enforcement and carry out criminal activities, including kidnappings for ransom. Security forces frequently conduct operations against these bandits in both Punjab and Sindh province in the south, but the terrain and heavily armed nature of these groups often result in deadly clashes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and called for “immediate and effective action” against those responsible. He emphasized the need for stronger security measures in areas plagued by banditry and criminal activity.
This attack comes amid a broader wave of violence in Pakistan, where armed groups have been increasing their activities across several provinces. Although the country has seen a surge in attacks in recent years, such a high number of police casualties in a single ambush is unusual.
Earlier on Thursday, another violent incident occurred in Punjab, where gunmen opened fire on a school van, killing two children and wounding six others. Authorities have not yet determined whether there is any connection between the two attacks, and no group has claimed responsibility for the school van shooting either. Local police suggested the attack might have been motivated by personal enmity against the van’s driver.
The situation in Pakistan remains tense as the government continues to struggle with the dual challenges of organized crime and armed insurgent groups. Both criminal organizations and groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have posed significant threats to national security, often targeting both civilians and security forces in their attacks.
