KARACHI: The caretaker chief ministers of Sindh and Punjab have come together to coordinate a joint operation against bandits in the katcha areas.

During a meeting between the chief ministers, a strategy for the operation was discussed. The meeting also entailed the demarcation of katcha areas in Sindh and Punjab.

IG Punjab, Usman Anwar, presented the police strategy for the katcha area in the meeting. It was revealed that the focus of the operation in Sindh would be on Ghotki and Kashmore districts, while in Punjab, the Ranipur and Rahim Yar Khan areas would be prioritized.

Sindh's katcha area was described as being 176 kilometers long and 25 kilometers wide. IG Punjab emphasized that there are seven riverine islands in the Ranipur area.

Caretaker CM Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, mentioned that a substantial portion of land, approximately 56,000 acres, previously occupied by bandits, has been reclaimed through an operation, out of a total of 66,500 acres in the katcha area of the province. He also highlighted the presence of 11 gangs of bandits in Punjab, with a combined strength of 600 individuals. As part of the operation preparations, Punjab has established nine police camps and 53 posts.

IG Sindh Police, Rifaat Mukhtar, informed the session that Sindh has set up 210 police check posts in the Katcha area and that Sindh Rangers are prepared to participate in the operation. Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh, Maqbool Baqar, approved the police operation in Ghotki district.

Additionally, the session decided to weaken mobile phone facilities in the Katcha area, and it was noted that the bandits' arms supply network had been neutralized. Both provinces have made preparations for the operation, including securing the necessary weapons.

The meeting also stressed the importance of mutual consultation and information sharing between Sindh and Punjab. A subsequent session will be convened to finalize the operation strategy, and a rehearsal of the joint operation was also discussed.

The meeting was attended by the chief secretaries of Sindh and Punjab, Sindh's home minister, and Punjab's information minister.