DERA GHAZI KHAN: In a surprising and dramatic move, a notorious gang leader surrendered himself to the Dera Ghazi Khan police along with his three accomplices.

Dwellers of the rural district welcomed the surrender of the Ladi gang ringleader, who was involved in heinous crimes, including the killing of 10 policemen during encounters in the last one year and had become a symbol of terror in the area.

The gang had also abducted some officials of the DG Cement factory, but released them within 12 hours of their abduction to give a message to the police that they were going to surrender.

The abduction case was also not registered as victims had refused to become complainant.

Sources said the suspects surrendered to the newly-appointed district police officer who played his role in promoting confidence building measures between the gang of proclaimed offenders and police with the help of local elders.

They said the suspects were assured that police would not kill them in encounters if they surrendered.

DPO Ghulam Mubashir Maiken told a news conference that ringleader Mohammad Bukhsh Ladi along with three accomplices Zafar Ladi, Ishaq Ladi and Ali Mohammed Ladi surrendered to police.

He said the surrender by criminals would help restore peace in the district.

Bukhsh Ladi told reporters if the government fulfilled their demands, including fair trial of cases, 40 more proclaimed offenders would surrender to the police.

He also urged the police to conduct their trial in genuine cases against them and withdraw fabricated cases.

Sources said the gang members before their surrender had earlier given a message to law-enforcement agencies to provide them a safe passage for their surrender, jobs for their people in DG Cement factory and education for their children.

The DPO told Dawn a grand ‘jirga’ was also held to convince the gang members to surrender.

He said he had formed a committee to scrutinise the cases against the gang members.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2014