72 Sindh dacoits surrender in Shikarpur under new policy

At least 72 bandits from Sindh’s riverine (katcha) belt surrendered their weapons at a ceremony held at Police Lines in Shikarpur on Wednesday, a day after the provincial government unveiled its first structured surrender policy for the region. Authorities said several most-wanted figures were among those who gave up arms, with combined bounties exceeding Rs60 million.

Police displayed a cache of seized and surrendered weapons, including Kalashnikovs, rocket launchers and even anti-aircraft guns. Officials identified among the surrenderees Nisar Sabzoi, wanted in 82 cases with a bounty of Rs3 million, and Sukhio Teghani, wanted in 49 cases with a bounty of Rs6 million, alongside multiple members of the Teghani clan and other wanted men.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said the government had directed police and Rangers to stabilize the area and support surrenders, while stressing that those who yielded would still face due legal process. He credited community elders for helping bring about the ceremony and said the province plans to assist affected communities through jobs and Benazir Income Support Programme cards.

Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon said law and order was improving across the riverine belt but cautioned that parts of Ghotki had yet to be fully cleared. According to the provincial police, 171 dacoits have been killed and 421 arrested during recent operations.