At least seven police personnel including an assistant police inspector (ASI) were abducted by dacoits when they attacked a police check-post in Sadiqabad on Sunday.
According to police sources, as many as 30 dacoits armed with modern weapons attacked the check-post located at river region Machka and abducted ASI and police officials of special squad who were deployed in Sadiqabad on an exclusive task.
Among other, the hostages include head constable Mumtaz, constable Asif, Arif Shah, Zia and Tahir.
Soon after the incident, a search and recovery operation was initiated by Sindh and Punjab Police in adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, on the recommendation of Punjab Police, the federal government has provided two helicopters to assist in recovering the abducted officials.
According to police sources, the recovery operation was underway at the time this report was filed, with heavy exchange of fire between both sides.
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and summoned report from District Police Officer (DPO) Sohail Zafar Chatha. The CM has also directed to take all possible steps for safe recovery of the police officials.
Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif also took serious notice of the kidnappings and ordered authorities to retrieve the abducted personnel at any cost.
An operation against criminal elements was underway in the kutcha area of Ronti Ubauro since two weeks. During the operation, an SHO was killed and several cops injured.
