Army has taken charge of offensive against terror outfits-backed Chotu gang in Kacha Jamal One and Two, according to ISPR.
Army is using of gunships to eliminate the criminals in the troubled area.
After complete failure of police against Chotu gang, 40 members surrendered as soon as army came in action.
Op in Kacha:Army troops deployed.Take over charge of op.Cordon reinforced,Police&Rangers already in op will cont to participate under Army-1
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 16, 2016
Op in Kacha:Whatever resources required,will be employed to accomplish mission. Updated Info about op will be shared regularly-2
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 16, 2016
The criminals said that they never wanted to fight against the army. At least 150 paratroopers had landed in Kacha area on Friday while a contingent of 500 personnel reached by road.
Curfew has been imposed in four kilometer (Km) area however; the people were relieved in the morning till 8 am to carry out necessary routines.
Rangers and the army initiated the operation at around 1 am and in the coming hours today more dacoits are expected to lay arms before the forces.
However, police earlier lost seven men including a station house officer (SHO). Another 24 were held hostage who are yet to be freed.
Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif resented the police that was unable to neutralize a group of some 100 armed men with help of 2,100 police.
Operation against the gang began on April 1 while officials have said that the gang is confined to a roughly ten kilometre (Km) area.
The gang is associated with anti-state elements and possesses heavy weaponry including anti-aircraft guns, machine guns and rocket launchers.
Leader of the gang, Ghulam Rasool Mazari alias Chotu is wanted in over 40 cases under different charges including kidnapping for ransom, murder and dacoities and anti-state activities.
Militants, kidnappers, dacoits and other criminals seek refuge in Kacha area, on an island in Indus River in Southern Punjab which has been dubbed as a “no-go zone” for law enforcement agencies for years.
At least seven operations were conducted in the past against the gang but no conclusive development had surfaced.