Hugely embarrassed by the fierce resistance put up by a gang of notorious dacoits hiding in the riverine areas of the Punjab-Sindh-Balochistan border since the start of an operation 17 days ago, the Punjab government on Thursday reached out to Pakistan Army for assistance after more than 2,200 law enforcement personnel from Punjab Police, Elite Force and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) aided by paramilitary Pakistan Rangers Punjab failed to penetrate the criminals’ stronghold in the Kacha Jamal area of Rajanpur.
According to reports, a battalion of Pakistan Army from Okara reached Multan on Thursday night to aid the civil law enforcement agencies in the operation, codenamed Zarb-e-Ahan, that has so far claimed the lives of at least 10 policemen, including a station house officer, while 18 policemen are still being held hostage by the gang led by Ghulam Rasool alias Chhotu Bhikrani.
This is the sixth operation launched by the Punjab Police against the Chhotu gang since 2011. However, the criminals have managed to prevail and continue to mock the provincial police force’s capacity to deal with ‘real’ criminals.
Talking to reporters earlier in the day, a visibly humbled Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, who had earlier claimed that there were no “no-go areas” in South Punjab and that the army troops were not needed for an operation against criminals there, said the provincial government would ask for the army’s assistance in flushing out the gangsters from the area.
“The criminals have fortified themselves in the thick woodlands and our police force has so far been unable to storm their hideouts,” he said, adding that the Punjab government was exploring its options in wake of the evolving situation.
CHHOTU RELEASES FOUR HOSTAGES, DEMANDS SAFE PASSAGE:
On Thursday, the Chhotu gang released four injured police hostages after the operation was suspended by Punjab Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Sukhera in the wake of the policemen’s kidnapping on Wednesday.
Police is currently in talks with tribal leaders of the area to recover the remaining policemen still being held hostage by the dacoits.
On Wednesday, two boats carrying 42 policemen advanced on positions of the dacoits who fired at them. SHO Hanif Ghauri, Head Constable Ajmal, constables Tanvir, Ubaidullah alias Fahim, Amanullah and Zabihullah were among 10 law enforcers killed by the dacoits during a fierce gunfight. DSP Asif Rasheed and Sub-Inspector Abid are said to be among 18 police officials still in custody of the criminals.
Rajanpur District Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Mekan said that around 200 hardened criminals had turned the 30-kilometre island-like area into a no-go zone. They are armed with sophisticated weapons, he said.
On Thursday, Chhotu talked to the Dera Ghazi Khan Regional Police Officer using a wireless set snatched from the police, and listed the names of the hostages. He demanded police lift their siege or the dacoits would kill the hostages one by one. He also demanded safe passage for the criminals from the area.
ILL-EQUIPPED POLICE, ILL-PLANNED OPERATION:
A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, lamented that police forces deployed in the operation lacked proper equipment, weapons and boats to launch an assault on the island.
He said the operation to dislodge the gangsters is proving to be a tough nut to crack for local police forces who lack proper training and equipment to conduct amphibious operations in the riverine areas.
“We used two boats that we acquired privately from locals but we were attacked and lost 10 men, while several others were taken hostage,” said the police official, confirming that police forces have been unable to secure the area till now.
“The Chhotu gang is getting continuous reinforcements from gangs in and around the area and forces have been unable to cut off their supplies,” he said, adding that in the absence of an effective cordon being established around the island, the gangsters will continue to be resupplied and reinforced.
The police official blamed poor operational planning by the police department for the casualties sustained, and added that the weapons being used by the gangsters are far more sophisticated, resulting in the attacking police force often being outgunned and outranged.
Punjab IG Sukhera, after attending the funeral of an Elite Force commando who died in the operation, said the operation will continue till the elimination of all criminals. “The whole nation is in a state of war against terrorists,” he said.
“It is a vast area spread over 35 km and surrounded by water which gives an advantage to the gangsters,” he added.
However, credible sources in the Punjab Police confided to Pakistan Today that police personnel were handed out just 150 bullets each while no consideration was given during planning on how to secure the Kacha Karachi and Kacha Hyderabad areas, resulting in humiliating losses to the police force.
“Moreover, personnel engaged in the operation have not been given anything to eat for three days. How can one expect an under-fed and ill-equipped force to produce the desired results?” he asked.
POOR PLANNING IRKS PUNJAB CM:
The Punjab Police’s failure to make headway in the operation drew the ire of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has ordered an investigation against the officials responsible for the poor execution of the operation.
Chairing a meeting of senior government and police officials in Lahore, Shehbaz questioned why the police force had failed to prepare itself adequately for the operation. He also enquired why more Elite Force personnel had not been deployed for the operation.
Why not disband Punjab Police and remove Rana Sana who protected and created this menace by his denials of presence of such gang. He is now the most visible person telling lies after lies.
Police is good for nothing. There is no hot line where one can report illegal actions of police. They can't fight little gangs what to say of terrorists. Using call girls to harass youngsters, confiscating simple tools, spilling bottles in search of liquor and disturbing tourists is how they make money. May Allah's wrath be upon our police force.
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