Us-trained snipers deployed against robbers in Sindh

KARACHI: THE police in Sindh, currently engaged in an armed operation against dacoits (robbers) hiding in the riverine areas of the province, have summoned 10 snipers who had been trained by American snipers, as they look to step up the efforts to purge the dacoits and recover the captives, media reports said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Tanvir told the media that dacoits used to honey-trap victims and lure them to the riverine areas before abducting them, Samaa TV reported.

“It is a war of resources,” Tanvir said, adding, “The dacoits are armed with modern and foreign weapons.”

He added that to even the scales, they have sought help from America trained snipers, Samaa TV reported.

They will join the police operation, which has already seen the deployment of armored personnel carriers and other heavy weapons.

The police official added that so far, they have managed to recover 20 captives. They believe nine more people are being held by the dacoits.

The dacoits are active in the riverine area between Guddu to Sukkur Barrage.

It is pertinent to note that last year in November, a deputy superintendent of police, two station house officers (SHOS), and two constables were killed while three others were injured due to an atack by at least 150 dacoits on a police camp in the riverine area of Ghotki district, Samaa TV reported.

The riverine area where the incident took place was known as Raunti, where the police had set up a camp ater entering the area to recover three hostages who were kidnapped on Oct.30.

Ban on cigarete sale: A Gallup and Gilani Pakistan survey reported that a nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the country was asked the following question, “Do you think the sale of cigaretes should be banned?”

In response to this question, 93 per cent replied yes while 7 per cent responded no, Xinhua news agency reported.

The rural-urban breakdown for the responses stated that 3 percent more people from urban areas stand for banning the sale of cigaretes, the report added.

An analysis of the provincial breakdown shows that the highest percentage of people who opt for a ban on cigarete sale belongs to the country’s eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces as 94 per cent of people from both parts said yes.

Meanwhile 93 per cent from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented the same reply.