13 Including Children Abducted from Mango Orchard in Sadiqabad
SADIQABAD:
In a deeply alarming case of kidnapping for ransom, 13 individuals, including two children, were abducted at gunpoint by armed dacoits from a mango orchard in Sadiqabad.
The abductees, reportedly daily-wage laborers, were taken to the kacha (riverine) area — an infamous lawless region often used as a safe haven by criminal gangs.
Abductees Identified:
The victims have been named as:
- Nadeem Ahmed
- Rasheed Ahmed
- Waseem Ahmed
- Saddam Hussain
- Gul Hassan
- Muhammad Bilal
- Muhammad Hanif
- Nadeem
- Kashif
- Majid Umair
- Shahmeer Ahmed
- Tanveer Ahmed
- Two children (names withheld)
Their abduction has sparked widespread panic and condemnation, especially due to the presence of minors among the kidnapped.
Jurisdiction Dispute Stalls Rescue Operation
Efforts to launch a rescue operation are reportedly being delayed due to a territorial dispute between Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan police departments.
- Some police officials assert that the incident occurred in Bhong, falling under Rahim Yar Khan’s jurisdiction.
- Others claim it took place in Sonmiani, which lies within Rajanpur district.
This confusion has hampered coordinated police action, allowing the kidnappers more time to escape deeper into the kacha zone.
Public Outrage & Security Concerns
The growing trend of ransom kidnappings in South Punjab’s riverine belts has caused public alarm. Residents are demanding:
- Immediate clarification of jurisdiction
- Joint security operation
- Deployment of Rangers or military support
- Stronger presence in kacha areas
Criminal gangs operating in these regions often target laborers, farmers, and rural communities, exploiting weak law enforcement in border zones.
This is not just a law and order issue anymore — it’s a failure of coordination, said a local rights activist.
