Military troops deployment approved for operation in Katcha area

ISLAMABAD: The government has approved deployment of military troops for operation against outlaws in the katcha area, citing sources ARY News reported on Saturday.

According to sources, the cabinet has approved a circulation summary for deployment of military troops in katcha area alongside the Indus River.

The Punjab government had requested the federal government seeking military assistance for the operation by April 24, sources said. The government has also sought extension in deployment until May 05, if the operation could not be concluded on the given date, according to sources.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has revealed in a report that the investigators have traced the presence of terrorist outfits in the katcha area.

The revelations were made in a meeting chaired by caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to review the grand operation launched by the police force in the katcha areas.

The report stated that terrorist outfits are present in the katcha areas. It also revealed that the terrorists were also in contact with their foreign handlers and anti-state elements.

The participants decided that more than 11,000 personnel of the Punjab police will participate in the grand operation with the objective to destroy the hideouts of terrorists and establish permanent infrastructure in the area.

What is Katcha Area?

The riverine forests in southern belt of Punjab and Sindh have historically remained a hotbed of bandit gangs involved in kidnappings for ransom and other crimes on both banks of the Indus River.

These areas are inaccessible and virtually a ‘no go area’ for police and other law enforcement agencies. So as, remain an ideal refuge for the fugitives and bandit gangs operating in the region.