FAISALABAD, Jan 19: In a massive operation jointly launched by the Faisalabad and Jhang police, at least 70 wanted persons including proclaimed offenders have been arrested from Jangal Galotra in Chenab Bela near Chiniot, about 32 kilometers from here, on Wednesday.

On the orders of DIG Chaudhry Sajjad Ahmad, a special team headed by the DPOs of Jhang and Faisalabad with the assistance of the SP Investigation (Jhang), DSP Saddar (Faisalabad), ASP Chiniot, DSP Chenab Nagar encircled the notorious areas of Jangal Galotra for the recovery of lifted cattle-heads, arrest of proclaimed offenders and hardened criminals.

The police team suddenly entered dens of criminals identical to forests in the Chenab Bela area and rounded up dozens of men with weapons. Fire by some of the outlaws could not stop police from taking action.

The police officials claimed that they had adopted scientific and intelligent ways during the raid to arrest the culprits. It took 12 hours for the police to nab the culprits.

Among the arrested men were POs from Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore and some other parts of the province. The police team took into custody 312 milch animals, which were lifted from different areas of the province.

Besides, a huge quantity of illicit arms was seized during the major operation in the history of the area. Sources said the step had been taken by the police after the receipt of solid information about the presence of a number of proclaimed offenders in the area.

This forestry belt of Chiniot is notorious in the province as a shelter for the criminals and none of the police high-ups in the past had dared to conduct such a huge operation.