CM Punjab claims Katcha area cleared of criminal gangs

CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz said that Katcha areas in southern Punjab, particularly in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan, have been cleared of criminal gangs following 6-week long IBO. 

According to the CM, multi-agency coordination involving police, security forces and intelligence units led to the recovery of heavy weapons and the dismantling of criminal hideaways. 

Furthermore, she claimed that development initiatives would now be launched in the region to stabilize security.

However, publicly available verified reports provide only partial confirmation of these claims. Law-enforcement actions in Katcha areas have involved encounters, arrests and surrenders of suspects in recent weeks, but authorities claim that such operations will continue until criminal networks are completely dismantled.

Police officials reported that smaller groups of armed robbers have surrendered in targeted operations, including 10 suspects in Rahim Yar Khan earlier this year who were wanted in serious crimes such as kidnapping and robbery.

Officials have not yet released an independently verified figure matching the numbers cited in the CM’s statement.