Thieves Steal Section of Historic Cannon from Kot Diji Fort

In a disturbing escalation of criminal activity in the region, unidentified thieves have stolen part of a historic cannon from the ancient Kot Diji archaeological site in Sindh. The incident highlights growing concerns over the safety of the province’s cultural heritage.

According to local reports, the culprits used a cutter machine to remove a portion of the centuries-old cannon and fled the scene undetected. The artillery pieces at Kot Diji Fort are crafted from brass, making them valuable both historically and financially.

Residents of the area have appealed to the Sindh Minister of Culture and Archaeology, urging immediate action to recover the stolen fragment and arrest those responsible. They emphasized that such thefts represent an attack on Sindh’s rich heritage.

This is not the first time Kot Diji’s artifacts have been targeted. In 2023, the Sindh Culture Department traced six cannons that had been missing for nearly three decades. Two were recovered from the Khairpur Police Line, while others were found at locations including the Deputy Commissioner House, Maryam Chowk, and the Babbarloi police station.

Kot Diji, situated about 45 kilometers south of Khairpur along the eastern bank of the Indus River, is a significant archaeological fort site dating back to the early Bronze Age. The latest theft has renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect such irreplaceable cultural assets.