Law and order: Zanglani gang leader resurfaces in Pattizai

A joint operation by police and the BMP had forced Zanglani and other gang member to flee the area.

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Notorious outlaw Ghulam Hussain Zanglani has returned to Pattizai, a month after police and paramilitary forces conducted an operation in the area.

He heads the Zanglani gang that was based in Pattizai before the operation. The gang made Pattizai a no-go area for 18 years. It was involved in kidnapping for ransom, human trafficking, burglaries and murder. The outlaws are also accused of killing several policemen in shootouts.

On June 29, police commandoes, Elite Force, Border Military Police (BMP) and Balochistan Levies personnel launched an operation against the gang. Army helicopters were also called in to support the operation.

During the operation, Zanglani was accidently shot by another gang member. He first fled into Balochistan and later Sindh.

On Sunday, Zanglani was once again sighted in Pattizai along with a number of gunmen.

A police official, requesting anonymity, said they had received information that Zanglani had contacted several gangs, including Chottoo gang and Ladhi gang to return to the area. “Zanglani is planning to kidnap members of the BMP or Baloch Levies for ransom. For their release, he would demand the return of his property and lands seized by security forces during the operation,” the official said.

The official said that Zanglani had left his valuables, including cattle, with Khair Muhammad. Police arrested Khair and seized the valuables. Khair is in the custody of Lakha police.

Another important member of the gang, Aziz Zanglani, is in Gadaie police custody.

BMP Commandant Shahid Mehboob told The Express Tribune that they had received the information about Zanglani’s return to the area. “We will take immediate action as soon as we can confirm these reports. We are resolved not to let Zanglani gang return to the area,” he said.

Mehboob said that BMP units had been directed to increase patrolling of Pattizai area.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2014.