LAHORE, Nov 29: The City Division police claim to have arrested five members of the Ghamu dacoit gang, including its ringleader, and recovered snatched motorbikes from their possession.

City Division SP Operations Multan Khan told the media on Thursday the nabbed criminals wanted to transport motorcycles to Peshawar to sell them at a throwaway price, but the police foiled their attempt.

He said a police team, headed by Shafiqabad Circle DSP Aftab Phularwan, was sent to the Old Ravi Bridge on the basis of an information that the criminals were transporting some motorbikes on a truck to Peshawar.

The police set up a picket on the bridge to foil their attempt, but seeing the police, the criminals opened fire which was retaliated.

He said the police team managed to arrest the criminals later identified as Ghulam Muhammad alias Ghamu, Munir Alam Khan, Akhtar Nawaz and Yaqoob.

The SP said a separate police team also arrested another member of the same gang Muazzam Butt from Shadbagh after an encounter.

Suspended: Operations DIG Tahir Rai has suspended from service six policemen for not discharging duties at pickets according to the given instructions.

Acording to a handout issued on Thursday, the DIG took action during his surprise visit to the pickets set up at various important localities and entry/exit points of the city, including Thokar, Sherakot, Sabzazar and Mohlanwal.

He also lauded the services of the seven policemen who were found vigilant at the same pickets.