MANSEHRA, April 19: District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur has vowed to purge the department of black sheep.

He was speaking at a certificate and cash prize distribution ceremony at his office here on Saturday. DSP Shah Nazar Khan also spoke on the occasion.

The DPO said, “I will never tolerate dishonesty or ignore complaints about any police officials as we are supposed to save the life, property and honour of the people without discrimination.”

He added that last week the Mansehra police arrested high-profile terrorists and inter-provincial gang of car lifters and recovered the stolen vehicles from their possession.

Mr Gandapur said that with the consent of genuine journalists, the police would launch a drive against those vehicle owners who used the press number plates.

He added that the vehicle of the high-profile terrorist Mohammad Ali, who was arrested couple of days ago, also carried a press number plate. He further said that the police had also received complaints that narcotics barons were also using the press number plates.

At the end of the ceremony, the DPO and DSP gave away certificates and cash prizes to the police constables who played an active role in the arrest of the terrorist Mohammad Ali and other criminals and car lifters.