Rocket Attack on Police in Punjab Province Claims 12 Lives

The death toll from a rocket attack by dacoits on police vans in Punjab's Rahim Yar Khan district has risen to 12, following the death of an injured officer. The attack occurred as police vehicles were returning from a camp and became stuck in mud. A subsequent police operation eliminated the main suspect, Bashir Shar.

The death toll in a rocket attack on police vans by dacoits in Pakistan's Punjab province rose to 12 on Friday after one of the wounded officers died in a hospital, according to officials.

Two vehicles carrying around 22 policemen were returning from a police camp in Rahim Yar Khan district, roughly 400 km from Lahore, on Thursday evening when they got stuck in mud at Machah point. A group of dacoits then attacked them with rockets and opened fire, killing 11 officers on the spot and taking some hostage, leaving others injured.

A Punjab police spokesperson confirmed the death of another officer on Friday, bringing the death toll to 12. Police have launched an operation in the area, killing prime suspect Bashir Shar and injuring five others involved.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz vowed to continue the police operation until all outlaws are eliminated. Organized criminal gangs have plagued southern Sindh and central Punjab's riverine border areas for decades, often engaging in kidnap-for-ransom schemes.

(With inputs from agencies.)