In a concerning development, individuals from Punjab districts continue to be ensnared in honey traps orchestrated by Katcha gangs from Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, despite repeated warnings from law enforcement. The latest incident involves Saleem Abid Hashmi, the shift in charge of Bahawalpur’s Rescue 1122, who was kidnapped for ransom on Feb 15.
As per a report in the local English Daily, after his abduction, the kidnappers released a video demanding Rs10 million for Hashmi’s release. Investigations revealed that the gangs operating in the Katcha area of Kashmore in Sindh were responsible for the kidnapping. Bahawalpur District Emergency Officer Baqir Hussain reported the incident to the district police officer, seeking intervention against the Katcha gangs.
Rai Babar, Bahawalpur Regional Police Officer, confirmed that Hashmi fell victim to the honey trap laid by Kashmore’s notorious gangsters. The police initiated a joint operation with Kashmore authorities for the safe release of the abductee.
During the investigation, the call detail record (CDR) of the alleged abductee’s cell phone number provided crucial information. The last location of Hashmi was traced to Mauza Bidani Gandair in district Kashmore. The honey trap was executed using the cell phone number 03048319054, and the kidnappers had switched SIM cards to evade detection.
The high-level inquiry revealed that organized gangs, including Shar, Jagirani, Taygani, Kosh, Bhayo, and Jatoi, based in Katcha Ronti (Ghotki) and Katcha Kashmore, were involved in honey traps. These gangs lure victims with promises of friendship or lucrative business deals, leading them to cross into Sindh from Punjab, where they are kidnapped.
RPO Babar emphasized that no dacoit gangs have hideouts in Punjab, dispelling misconceptions. In Hashmi’s case, the Punjab Police collaborated with the Sindh Inspector General of Police to trace the culprits and secure the release of the abductee.
Efforts to engage influential figures in Kashmore for mediation are underway, and preventive measures have been taken by Rahim Yar Khan police to thwart honey-trapping attempts. Anti-honey trap counters have been established on border checkposts, leading to the prevention of numerous attempts with the help of Intelligence Bureau cooperation.
Special awareness campaigns have also been launched to caution the public about the risks associated with honey traps. The authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety of potential victims and dismantling the operations of these criminal gangs.
