In the tender stillness that follows a long night, the first rays of sunlight touch the bends of a river and seem to whisper of renewal. This image of slow, natural rhythm — where water shapes land over time — brings to mind the recent announcement from the heart of Punjab’s riverine districts. Like a river finding its course after months of turbulence, the narrative in Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur feels as if it is seeking a gentler flow, one where the shadows of fear recede in the warmth of restored civic life.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz spoke in measured, reflective tones when she shared that the once‑troubled riverine, or “katcha,” areas have been “100 per cent cleared” of dacoits after weeks of coordinated security actions. The terrain, marked for years by its winding waterways and difficult access, had become synonymous with lawlessness — a place where criminal gangs carved out hideouts and uneasy whispers spread among local residents.

These operations, spanning several phases over the past six weeks, were not without complexity. They brought together police units, intelligence teams, the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and multiple law enforcement agencies in a deliberate effort to reach deep into terrain once deemed near‑impenetrable by state forces. Guided by both ground intelligence and aerial surveillance — including drones and night‑vision equipment — authorities worked steadily to dismantle networks that had in past seasons seemed as unyielding as the river’s shifting banks.

What stands out in Ms. Nawaz’s remarks is not just the claim of tactical victory but the gentle affirmation of a change in ambiance — an area shifting from a “no‑go” zone back into the fold of ordinary life. Reports indicate that more than 500 dacoits and criminals, including many leaders of notorious gangs, have laid down arms and surrendered in recent weeks. Among them were individuals previously sought with bounty rewards attached to their capture.

Officials emphasize that the operation was conducted without casualties among security personnel, a point underscored with a kind of quiet relief. Heavy weaponry and other illicit materials were recovered, and the state’s presence was reasserted in areas where once the shadows cast by bandits seemed long and unending.

For local residents — farmers tending fields near water’s edge, families moving through dusty lanes, children playing under open skies — the hope now seems not just for safety, but for the steady return of everyday possibilities: roads that are secure, movement unencumbered by fear, and the promise that basic services can extend into corners of their communities that once felt forgotten. The chief minister also spoke of developmental initiatives planned for the region, suggesting that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is a foundation for building, for growth, and for connection with the broader tapestry of provincial life.

Authorities in Punjab report that multi‑agency security operations have successfully cleared the riverine districts of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur of organized criminal gangs. With hundreds of suspects surrendered and no significant security incidents reported recently, officials say the writ of the state has been reestablished and efforts toward regional development and stability are underway.

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Source Check – Credible Mainstream / Niche Outlets Reporting This Dawn (Pakistan) — riverine areas cleared of dacoits, CM statement. SAMAA TV — katcha areas fully cleared; criminals surrendered; state writ restored. APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) — detailed clearance, surrenders, weapons recovered. The Tribune (Pakistan) — Punjab CM comments on six‑week operation. Dunya News — announcement of full clearance with interagency cooperation.