Policeman martyred in Khairpur raid as police launch search operation

SUKKUR: A constable was martyred after armed suspects described by police as drug peddlers opened fire on a police team during a raid in Khairpur district’s Ranipur area on Saturday, according to a statement issued by Khairpur police.

The statement said officers and personnel from Ranipur police station had gone to Feroz Haji Rajpar village to arrest outlaws allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the area. When the team attempted to raid a suspected hideout, it came under heavy gunfire. Police returned fire, and during the exchange Constable Waris Narejo sustained critical bullet injuries.

Police said the injured constable was first taken to the Ranipur Rural Health Centre for emergency treatment and was later referred to the Gambat Institute of Medical Science because of his serious condition. He was martyred during treatment, the statement said. After a postmortem examination at GIMS, his body was handed over to his family.

Following the attack, a large police contingent from different stations in the district was sent to Feroz Haji Rajpar village. According to police, raids were carried out at several suspected dens and hideouts, and an unspecified number of suspects were detained for questioning. The search operation, led by the Ranipur SHO, continued until late evening, while the village and nearby areas were sealed to prevent the attackers from escaping.

Home minister and IGP seek reports

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the attack and the martyrdom of Constable Narejo, according to a statement issued by his department. He expressed grief over the constable’s death, offered condolences to the bereaved family, and sought a detailed report on the incident from the Khairpur SSP. The minister also directed that the operation against the suspects be taken to its logical conclusion and pledged all possible support and facilities to the constable’s family.

Paying tribute to the slain policeman, Lanjar said, "The sacrifices rendered by the Sindh Police against criminal elements will not go in vain."

"The entire nation takes pride in the bravery of the Sindh Police. The police personnel who sacrifice their lives for public safety are our heroes,” he further said.

Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho also took notice of the incident and directed the Sukkur DIG to submit full details of the attack. He paid tribute to Waris Narejo’s bravery and devotion to duty, conveyed condolences to his family, and ordered the use of all available resources to ensure the swift arrest of those involved.

Shikarpur police report separate encounter

In a separate development, Shikarpur police said a suspected dacoit was killed in an encounter near Jail Chowrangi on Friday evening. SSP Mohammad Kaleem said New Faujdari police signalled four men riding two motorcycles to stop, but they allegedly opened fire, prompting a return of fire by police.

The SSP identified the dead suspect as Qadro Kamalani Jatoi and said a pistol and a motorcycle were recovered from him. He said the suspect’s criminal record was being checked at different police stations. The body was shifted to Shikarpur Civil Hospital for a postmortem examination, while the area around the encounter site was cordoned off in an effort to arrest the three other suspects who escaped, according to the SSP.