At least 11 police officers were killed and several others injured when armed outlaws launched a rocket attack in Pakistan's Punjab's Rahim Yar Khan district on Thursday.
The ambush occurred approximately 400 kilometres from Lahore when two police vehicles became immobilised on a muddy road at Machah Point.
"Meanwhile dacoits (outlaws) reached there and attacked them with rockets. At least 11 cops were killed in the attack on the spot while some of them were taken hostages and remaining were injured," a spokesperson for the Punjab police said.
As the police vehicles were stranded, heavily armed dacoits descended upon them, launching a barrage of rockets. Eleven officers were killed instantly, while others were taken hostage or critically wounded.
The perpetrators swiftly fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
The Punjab police, responding to the attack, dispatched a substantial force to the location and evacuated the injured to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan.
The condition of some of the wounded remains dire, with fears that the death toll may rise.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her outrage over the incident, directing Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar to lead an immediate operation to rescue the hostages and restore order.
She firmly stated that the lawlessness in the kacha areas would not be tolerated, signalling a stern response to the escalating violence in the region.
Follow us
