Image Sources: https://www.thehindu.com/

Introduction: 

Bashir Shar, the leader of the group of bandits who killed 12 police officers in the Machka attack in Sadiqabad earlier this week, was gunned down by Punjab police in broad daylight in Lyallpur on Thursday. The incident once again highlights the authority of the state over the kacha (riverine) areas of Pakistan that remain lawless.

 Machka Tragedy:

On Thursday night, armed robbers attacked police vans with rockets and heavy weaponry near Machka and killed 12 policemen. Nine others were injured and are being treated at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. In retaliation, Punjab police carried out an operation that resulted in the killing of Bashir Shar and injuring five of his accomplices. A large-scale operation was underway as the authorities simultaneously chased all of them.

 Perennial problems in the Kacha Areas: The kacha areas on the banks of the Indus River have long been a haven for criminals. Dense forests and difficult terrain provide ideal cover for bandits and make it easy for them to escape police. For decades, gangs have operated in the area, committing kidnapping, robbery and extortion. The Machka attack is part of a pattern of violence that has plagued these areas for years. These gangs remain a serious threat to the security of southern Punjab and neighbouring Sindh. 

 What are the implications for Pakistan? Firstly, the high level of violence in the kacha areas represents a major challenge for the country. The state’s inability to control these areas has allowed criminal gangs to flourish and, in turn, has fostered a wider insecurity. The rugged landscape hinders the ability of police and military forces to operate, and local communities (often caught between bandits and the authorities) are reluctant to assist the state in re-establishing order.

 The entrenched criminality is also highly damaging economically. Banditry inhibits trade and investment, and local populations and business owners live in constant fear.

 State Response:

 After the Machka attack, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended her condolences to the bereaved families of the slain officers, and pledged to take ‘decisive action’ against the culprits. The federal government also condemned the attack, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issuing statements to launch a full-fledged operation to eradicate criminal groups in the kacha areas.

 Conclusion: 

The operations in Machka have brought to light a long-standing problem of banditry in Pakistan’s kacha areas. Sustained and long-term efforts are needed to bring these areas under control. The government must combine the military operations with police actions and development schemes aimed at bettering local socio-economic conditions. The events of Machka are a reminder of the kind of challenges Pakistan faces in its pursuit of peace and stability. 

Read More News here:https://whatshappening.pk/mubarak-sani-case-supreme-court-revision/

Sources :https://www.thehindu.com/