Two days after Chotu gang surrendered to Pak Army, the security forces are now using helicopter gunships to hit suspected positions and bunkers set up by remaining criminal gangs in the troubled riverine area of Rajanpur district.
The airstrikes were launched after Umrani, Sikhani and Pallu gangs exchanged fire with the military in Kacha Jamal area. Curfew has been imposed in Sonmiani for indefinite period of time.
Earlier on Thursday, a notorious bandit Chotu and 13 members of his gang surrendered to troops and 24 policemen taken hostage a week ago had also been rescued.
The army statement said Ghulam Rasool, known as Chhotu, had been taken for questioning and combing operations were continuing in the area.
The bandits have been blamed for hundreds of kidnappings, gun-smuggling and other crimes in recent years. They operate in a remote region of southern Punjab and have been battling the LEAs for several weeks.
Moreover, rescued policemen have returned to their homes.
The Punjab government has decided to form a judicial investigation team to probe Chotu gang case.