MUZAFFARGARH: Wildlife and fisheries teams, along with police and social workers, arrived at the Taunsa Barrage downstream bridge on Friday after reports of dolphins being caught in fishing nets.

Leaders of Sindhu Bachau Tarla Welfare Foundation Khadim Hussain Khar and Sheikh Javed 1qbal said they alerted authorities to protect the blind Indus dolphins from harm.

Wildlife Regional Director Muhammad Hussain Gishkuri and other officials, including wildlife supervisors Naveed Iqbal and Abdul Shakoor, said that on being alerted they responded and upon inspection, five Indus blind dolphins -including two adults and three calves -were found trapped in an area restricted by a concrete wall and fishing nets.

The foundation team walked two kilometres along the river between the Taunsa Barrage bridge and found the dolphins unable to move due to low water levels.

Khadim Khar and Javed 1qbal informed the director general of fisheries and the secretary of wildlife and fisheries, requesting immediate removal of the nets and action against the fish contractors.

The regional wildlife director ordered the suspension of all fishing activities in the area until water levels rise.

Wildlife Inspector Aamir Rasheed and his team were directed to monitor the dolphins and ensure their safety.

The dolphins were successfully rescued and released into the main river.The collaborative efforts of Sindhu Bachau Tarla Welfare Foundation, Sail D e v e 1 o p m e n t Organisation, WWF Taunsa Information Centre, and government departments ensured the protection of the rare Indus blind dolphin species.

A detailed report, signed by senior officials from the Fisheries and Wildlife Departments, has been filed for further action.

KILLER OF YOUTH: The killer of the groom who was killed on his wedding day turned out to be his uncle who had murdered the victim for refusing to marry his daughter.

Shahid Bhatti had gone missing on his wedding day in the Khairpur Sadaat police area. When he could not be traced anywhere, his family and relatives checked the bushes along the nearby fields and found his body.

District Police Officer Syed Hasnain Haider asked SHO Noor Khan to resolve the blind murder case.

The SHO said that the main suspect, Akram always accompanied the complainant during police visits. When police interrogated the relatives, including Akram, he confessed to committing the crime and told the story of the murder.

Police said Akram had killed Shahid for refusing to marry his daughter. On his wedding day, Akram, in connivance with his other nephew, Kausar Bhatti, gave the groom some intoxicant mixed in tea. Later, when Shahid went out of his home, Akram and Kausar strangled him and threw his body into the bushes.

Police arrested the suspects and registered a case against them.