11 Police Officers Killed in Ambush in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A police convoy in eastern Punjab province was ambushed by gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 officers and injuring seven others. The attack occurred in the Rahim Yar Khan district while the officers were patrolling a deserted area in search of local robbers. Authorities indicated that the assailants were likely bandits rather than militants, and no group has claimed responsibility for the assault. The ambush took place in Kacha, a region notorious for its bandit hideouts along the Indus River, where heavily armed criminals often evade law enforcement. According to police reports, one of the convoy's vehicles broke down while navigating through accumulated rainwater in farm fields, which left the officers vulnerable to the attack. This incident marks one of the deadliest assaults on police in recent years, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in combating banditry in the area. In response to the attack, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the violence, expressing condolences and referring to the fallen officers as martyrs. They called for immediate action against the perpetrators and emphasized the need for comprehensive medical care for the injured. Earlier on the same day, gunmen also targeted a school van in Punjab, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to six others, further underscoring the escalating violence in the region.