GHOTKI — All passengers abducted by armed bandits after an attack on a passenger bus in Sindh’s Ghotki district have been recovered, police confirmed on Tuesday, following an extensive security operation in the riverine areas. Authorities said 13 passengers were rescued alive, while the body of one abducted passenger was also recovered.
The incident took place on the Guddu–Kashmore Road near Murid Shakh, close to Ubauro, when a group of more than 20 armed men intercepted a passenger bus. According to Sindh Police, the assailants opened fire on the vehicle, shattering its windows and creating panic among passengers before forcibly abducting several individuals and fleeing the scene.
Initial reports had indicated that as many as 19 passengers were taken hostage. However, police later clarified that 14 passengers were abducted. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ubaro Abdul Qadir Soomro said the confusion arose because the bus conductor was unable to immediately confirm the exact number of passengers taken during the chaos of the attack.
Following the incident, law enforcement agencies launched a large-scale operation, cordoning off the surrounding area and establishing checkpoints on key routes to prevent the attackers from escaping. Police units from across the district were mobilised as part of the rescue effort.
DSP Soomro said that during the operation, police encountered the bandits in the Somiani area, where an exchange of gunfire took place. A police officer sustained injuries in the clash, while the attackers reportedly used heavy weapons, including rockets, and targeted a police armoured vehicle. Despite the intensity of the attack, security forces continued their pursuit.
Authorities also deployed surveillance drones to track the movement of the bandits in the difficult terrain. The aerial monitoring forced the attackers to abandon their positions and retreat deeper into the riverine katcha areas. As a result, police were able to safely recover 13 hostages. Some of the rescued passengers had sustained injuries during the ordeal and were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
During the search operation, police also recovered the body of one abducted passenger. Officials did not immediately disclose details regarding the cause of death but confirmed that the victim was among those taken from the bus.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Sukkur Range, Faisal Abdullah Chachar, said security forces were continuing operations in the area to apprehend the suspects. He noted that police teams were actively pursuing the bandits in the katcha regions along the river belt, which are notorious for harbouring criminal gangs.
“The operation is ongoing, and we are determined to bring all those involved to justice,” DIG Chachar said. He added that dense fog and tall sugarcane crops in the area were posing significant challenges to law enforcement efforts, slowing movement and reducing visibility during the operation.
Police officials also reported that several bandits were believed to have been injured during the exchange of fire. Raids are being conducted to locate and arrest the suspects, while intelligence-based operations are being intensified to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
The attack has once again highlighted the persistent law and order challenges in Sindh’s riverine areas, where armed gangs frequently target travellers, transport vehicles, and local residents. Despite repeated crackdowns, these groups continue to exploit the difficult terrain to evade arrest.
Passengers who were rescued recounted moments of fear and uncertainty as gunmen boarded the bus and fired indiscriminately. Authorities said counselling and support would be provided to the victims, while security measures on major highways are expected to be reviewed following the incident.
Sindh police have assured the public that additional patrols and checkpoints will be established along vulnerable stretches of highways to prevent similar attacks. Officials stressed that ensuring passenger safety remains a top priority and warned criminal elements that such acts would be met with decisive action.
As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies say they remain committed to restoring peace in the region and preventing future incidents of passenger abduction and highway crime.
