*Google Discover Summary*
Twelve police officers booked after notorious Ghotki bandit Raheb Shar, carrying a Rs5 million bounty, and accomplice Morio Shar escape custody during court appearance in Ubauro, sparking riverine manhunt.
*What Happened in Ubauro Court*
Two high-profile bandits, Raheb Shar and Morio Shar, escaped from police custody while being produced at the Ubauro Civil Court in Ghotki district.
Raheb Shar was a high-value target with an official government bounty of Rs5 million on his head. The escape occurred during a scheduled court appearance, turning a routine judicial production into a major security failure.
*How the Escape Unfolded*
The two accused were brought to the court under police escort. At some point during the proceedings or the transfer linked to the court appearance, they managed to flee.
Police have not publicly released exact details of the method used — whether it was a sudden dash, outside help, or a lapse in supervision. What is confirmed is that the officers responsible for their custody failed to prevent the breakout.
*Police Accountability Action*
Authorities immediately registered a case at Ubauro police station on behalf of the state.
Twelve police personnel have been booked for alleged negligence in securing the accused. The charges focus on failure to maintain proper custody during the court production. No individual-specific allegations beyond the collective charge of negligence have been detailed so far.
*Immediate Manhunt Launched*
Right after the escape, police launched a night-time operation in the katcha (riverine) area along the Indus River.
The search faced serious difficulties because large parts of the area were inundated with water. Flooded terrain and waterlogged zones restricted movement and slowed the pursuit of the fugitives.
*Broader Context of Riverine Crime*
This incident is part of a long-running battle between police and organised criminal gangs operating in the riverine belts of upper Sindh.
These katcha areas have traditionally served as hideouts for bandits involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and attacks on security forces. The difficult geography, dense vegetation, shifting river channels, and seasonal flooding make sustained operations extremely challenging.
*Why This Escape Is Particularly Serious*
A court production is supposed to be one of the most controlled environments for moving high-risk prisoners. Escorts are assigned, routes are planned, and more officers are usually present than during routine movements.
When a Rs5 million bounty target still manages to escape under these conditions, it points to either serious procedural failure, inadequate security arrangements, possible collusion, or a combination of these factors. Booking twelve officers suggests investigators believe the failure was collective rather than the mistake of one individual.
*Impact on Public Confidence*
For communities living in and around the katcha, such incidents deepen feelings of insecurity. Residents already deal with flooding and limited state presence.
When high-profile criminals slip away from court custody, trust in the police’s ability to protect the public and bring dangerous offenders to justice is further weakened. At the same time, the quick registration of a negligence case against the escort party is an attempt to show that accountability mechanisms are still functioning.
*Questions Still Unanswered*
Several critical questions remain open:
– Exactly how did Raheb Shar and Morio Shar manage to break free?
– Was there any prior intelligence about a possible escape plan?
– What specific security protocols were in place, and where did they fail?
– Will the investigation into the twelve officers expand to examine wider systemic problems in custody management?
– Can police recapture the two fugitives before they disappear deeper into the riverine network or cross into other areas?
*Current Situation*
The manhunt in the flooded katcha continues. Police are trying to prevent the two bandits from regrouping or finding new hideouts.
Until clearer answers emerge and the fugitives are rearrested, this episode will remain a stark reminder of the persistent operational and institutional challenges faced by law-enforcement agencies in one of Pakistan’s most difficult policing environments.
