Punjab police personnel have demonstrated reluctance to participate in operations in the Kacha area following the recent deaths of 12 officers there.
As reported, a convoy of 25 officers from the Farooqabad Constabulary, dispatched to the Rajanpur region to confront Kacha bandits, withdrew from the mission. These officers disembarked near the Zahra Peer Interchange and declined to proceed further, citing concerns for their safety.
In charge of the police operation, who prepared a detailed report and submitted it to higher authorities, recommending disciplinary action against the dissenting officers. This episode follows a disturbing trend where Punjab police’s tactical decisions have been scrutinised. Just last week, an attack in the Rahim Yar Khan district resulted in the death of 12 officers, raising questions about the leadership and preparedness of the police force.
Investigations into these incidents revealed that the police had been attacked three times by bandits in the past month, with several basic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) being ignored. Notably, the officers were moved during nighttime, contrary to SOPs that prescribe daytime travel for safety. Rain also compromised the chosen route, making it unfit for travel, yet no alternative was considered. Furthermore, despite the requirement for the SHO Machka to oversee such movements every 12 days, he was absent.
Additionally, despite the availability of armoured vehicles at a nearby station, they were not utilized, raising further concerns about the adequacy of the equipment provided to officers in high-risk areas. These lapses have ignited a debate on the effectiveness of Punjab police’s senior management in ensuring the safety of their personnel in volatile regions like Kacha.
