Brutal Ambush in Punjab: 11 Cops Killed in Rocket Grenade Attack
At least 11 police officers were gunned down and seven more injured after a savage ambush in Kacha town, Punjab province. Gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades struck a police convoy on Thursday, local authorities confirmed.
Deadly Hit in Bandit Stronghold
The attack happened in Rahim Yar Khan, an infamous hideout for heavily armed bandits lurking along the Indus River. The officers were patrolling remote farmland, hunting criminals when disaster struck.
The Punjab inspector general’s office revealed the convoy was hit after one police vehicle broke down in rainwater near farm fields. The assailants seized the chance to unleash rocket launchers, causing one of the bloodiest police attacks in recent memory.
No Claim Yet, But Bandits Suspected
No militant group has stepped forward, but officials suspect local bandits, not organised armed groups. Kacha is notorious for criminals involved in robberies and kidnappings. Despite regular crackdowns in Punjab and Sindh, the rugged terrain and ruthless gangs often trigger deadly clashes.
Government Reacts as Violence Surges
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the massacre, demanding “immediate and effective action” to tackle banditry and boost security in troubled areas.
The strike follows a wider wave of violence sweeping Pakistan, with armed groups escalating attacks across provinces. Such mass police casualties in one hit remain rare.
Earlier the same day, gunmen opened fire on a school van in Punjab, killing two children and injuring six. Police suspect a personal grudge behind the attack. Official investigations continue into any links between these violent events.
Pakistan Battles Crime and Insurgency
The nation is grappling with a deadly mix of organised crime and militant threats. Both criminal gangs and insurgents like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) pose severe risks to security forces and civilians alike.
