Security agencies clashed with the Chotu Gang as the operation in the Punjab riverine area reached its twenty second day on Tuesday.
The army pounded the gang’s sanctuaries through aerial bombing till late Monday night and the gangsters responded with equal vigour.
Several members of the Chotu Gang became unwell after the police threw tear gas shell at them.
Police has not yet been able to recover any of the 24 policemen held hostage by the gang. However, the Rajanpur DPO said that they are safe and in good health.
Read more: Army warns Chotu Gang to free hostages and surrender
Over 10 settlements from the area have been evacuated as security forces launch a full-throttle operation.
The operation involving more than 2,000 security forces has been ongoing for two weeks and the army’s push to deploy troops, artillery and helicopter gunships is an unprecedented use of force by the military in Punjab.
“We (army) had given the Chotu gang until 2pm today to surrender but they did not abide by the deadline,” said a military official based in the district of Rajanpur in southern Punjab where the battle is taking place.
“Now there is no option left but a full-scale operation, which has started.”
Read more: Chotu Gang to surrender or be killed warns Law Enforcement Agencies
