About 100 army officers have landed at the Punjab riverine area through helicopters to rescue 18 policemen held hostage by the Chotu Gang as the operation against them enters its eighteenth day.
Heavy contingents of policemen are present in the area. Mobile phone services have been restored in the region demands of the gangs.
After the Chhotu gang captured 22 policemen on Wednesday, the operation was temporarily suspended as Punjab IG Mushtaq Sukhera said that recovering the policemen was their first priority.
The Chotu Gang, which operates in the border areas of Sindh and Punjab, released four injured police officers on Thursday.
At least seven policemen and four gangsters have been killed in the operation so far.
Over 1600 police officers from seven districts are taking part in this operation.
Read more: Chotu gang to surrender within next 48 hours, claims Sanaullah