Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu among 13 dacoits have laid down weapons while security forces are continuing operation against Sikhani and Umrani group, local media reported on Thursday.
All 24 policemen taken hostage by the gang were freed safely.
Sources said that at least three gangs are still fighting the security forces including Imrani and Sikhani gangs. These groups comprise of terrorists and miscreants. Reportedly, Sikhani miscreants ‘have religious affiliations and believe that they would embrace martyrdom if killed.’
Operatives of banned outfits, Baloch Liberation Army (BLF) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA) are also present in Kacha area and battling the law enforcement agencies (LEA). The operatives are said to have executed attack on railways track in 2014 that claimed three lives while injured over 17 and were also behind mines blasts that martyred three including an OGDCL official.
LEAs agree that huge cache of weapons is there in Kacha area that was acquired from anti-state elements in Balochistan. The weapons include Russian and Indian made guns, reportedly.
All 13 criminals were shifted to undisclosed location for interrogation. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Asim Saleem Bajwa stated on Wednesday that a combing operation was underway in Punjab and the forces would eliminate all no-go areas in the country.
On the other hand, at least 20 dacoits belonging to two groups are fighting the security forces in Kacha Jamal area. Exchange of fire between the groups continued the entire Wednesday night in the troubled area.
The government has decided to form a joint investigation team (JIT) to deal with all the cases registered against Chotu and others.
During a media briefing on Wednesady, Lieutenant General Bajwa said that those who had surrendered were in army’s custody.
He said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif commended the army officers and soldiers after successful conclusion of the operation.
Chotu, a wanted dacoit who is alleged to have links with anti-state elements as well including Baloch Liberation Army survived at least seven operations in the past.
The gang made a police operation earlier this month a failure after around 24 personnel were taken hostage while seven killed upon encounter.
The authorities called in army after around 2,100 police personnel failed to nab the dacoits on an island in Indus River in southern Punjab.
Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif announced compensation money for each grieving family of the police martyrs. He further announced provision of government job to one of the family member.