Three dacoits killed as police clear 51,000 acres in Kacha area

Police claimed to have killed three dacoits during an operation in Punjab's Kacha area, clearing 51,000 acres of land in the process, Express News reported.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar briefed Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on the ongoing operation, stating that multiple hideouts of criminals had been destroyed while 46 criminals, including eight injured, had been arrested.

The Punjab IGP further stated that the operation has been intensified and fresh reinforcements have been sent to the affected area where the most dangerous gang, Qaabil Sikhani was surrounded while a complete lockdown has been imposed in the area. Police checkpoints have also been established in the cleared areas, he added.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction with the police performance during the operation and praised the efforts of the personnel and officers.

Read more: TTP present in Kacha areas, says Punjab IG

He directed to eliminate the criminals in the Kacha area and establish sustainable peace while also preparing a plan for repairing of roads and bridges and other developmental work.

The Kacha area has been known for criminal activities for a long time, with gangs using the marshy land for hiding and conducting illegal activities.

Earlier during a news conference, the Punjab police chief had stated that the security forces conducting operation in the Kacha area found evidence of the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants as well as separatists elements.

Dr Anwar said that the operation in vast Kacha area was going on with the support of the country’s premiere intelligence agencies and the police forces of Sindh and Balochistan.

“The CTD [Counter-Terrorism Department of the police] and the premiere intelligence agencies have found evidence of the presence of separatist nationalists and TTP militants in Kacha area, he said.

The Kacha (riverine) area in southern Punjab spread over 15,000 square kilometre on both sides of the Indus river. The forces launched the operation against criminals hiding there after it became a no-go area for the law-enforcers.