LAHORE, February 14, 2026 — A six-week intelligence-led operation in the riverine “Katcha” areas of Punjab has resulted in the surrender of over 500 criminals, including prominent gang leaders, according to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. It’s a significant development, and raises the question: can a region long considered lawless truly be brought under state control?
Restoring Order in Punjab’s ‘Katcha’ Areas
A large-scale operation has led to the surrender of hundreds of criminals and a restoration of state authority in previously inaccessible territories.
- More than 500 criminals laid down their arms after a six-week operation.
- 45 days have passed without reported kidnappings for ransom or honey-trap schemes in the targeted areas.
- A development package will bring schools, hospitals, and improved infrastructure to the Katcha regions.
- 53 women were inducted into the Border Military Police for the first time in 30 years.
- The operation involved coordinated efforts from multiple agencies, including the Pakistan Army and Sindh Police.
What factors contributed to the success of this operation? The coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement and intelligence agencies, coupled with the deployment of advanced technology and a focus on intelligence gathering, proved crucial in dismantling criminal networks in the Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
Addressing a high-level meeting on Saturday, Chief Minister Nawaz stated that 42 criminals from Rajanpur and 200 from Rahim Yar Khan surrendered. She emphasized that the operation was completed without any casualties among security personnel. For 45 days, there have been no reported incidents of kidnapping for ransom or honey-trap activity in the area, signaling a restoration of state authority in territories previously considered “no-go areas” for law enforcement.
The operation involved a multi-agency approach, bringing together the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Punjab Police, Sindh Police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Branch, and other intelligence agencies. Over 1,700 police personnel were deployed, utilizing drone surveillance, night vision cameras, and other advanced technologies. Officers were equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), bulletproof vehicles, and protective gear.
Recovered from the surrendered criminals were heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, machine guns, pistols, ammunition, and hand grenades. Authorities noted that criminals had been exploiting the difficult terrain – hiding in sugarcane fields and operating from riverine areas surrounded by water – to evade capture.
Those who surrendered pledged to cease all criminal activity, including attacks on police and law enforcement. The chief minister assured that surrendered suspects would receive a fair trial under the law, and that criminal hideouts and facilitator networks were destroyed.
In a significant move towards strengthening border security, recruitment was carried out in the Border Military Police after a 30-year hiatus, with the historic induction of 53 women. Chief Minister Nawaz also acknowledged the vital role of intelligence sharing in the operation’s success, extending gratitude to Sindh Police and the Sindh government for their cooperation in the tri-border areas.
A comprehensive development package is planned for the Katcha areas, encompassing the establishment of schools, colleges, hospitals, and TEVTA (Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority) institutes. Improvements to transport infrastructure will include green bus services. Agricultural land and farmer cards will be provided under the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” (Own Land, Own Employment) program, and technical education centers will be established to foster employment opportunities.
Special allowances and incentives will be offered to doctors and teachers posted in the area, alongside a broader package aimed at improving the living standards of residents. A three-member high-level committee, led by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and including the home secretary and additional chief secretary south, has been formed to oversee the Chief Minister’s Programme for Katcha Area Development.
Chief Minister Nawaz affirmed the state’s commitment to maintaining its authority in the region and ensuring that the people of Katcha have access to facilities comparable to those available elsewhere in Punjab.
