Law and order: Operation against Chhotu gang underway, says DPO

MULTAN: A joint operation between the Punjab police and the Rangers is underway in the tribal areas near Rajanpur against Chhotu gang which had attacked a police post near Rahim Yar Khan with along Imrani gang last Monday.

Ranjanur DPO Zahid Mehmood told The Express Tribune that the gangs had attacked the post last Monday with heavy ammunition, but had fallen back when police retaliated. He said on Thursday, an operation had been launched to apprehend the gangs.

He said members of these gangs had then fled from Rahim Yar Khan to Goth Mazari, a village near River Indus.

He said Bangla Icha and Kachi Kabri, areas adjoining Goth Mazari, had been taken over police and Rangers. He said borders connecting the Punjab with Balochistan had been sealed.

“Teams are patrolling the area to restrict movement of the gangsters,” he said.

He said they had attacked policemen and Rangers at various intervals and gunfire had been exchanged between the two groups.

The DPO said the inspector general of police had ordered reinforcements from Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan districts for a wider ground operation.

He said some 700 police personnel with armoured personnel carriers had surrounded the region.

He said a major offensive would be launched within a day.

He said according to initial estimates, there were some 40 gang members were hiding in the river island. He said they are armed with latest weapons.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2015.