ATTOCK, Jan 6: District Police Officer (DPO) Malik Zafar Iqbal Awan has tasked the Elite Force with launching a crackdown on the gambling dens and distilleries operating in different areas with the support of some influential figures, a source in the police department told Dawn.

Earlier, the task had been entrusted to the police stations, however, they failed to crack down on these dens. The orders of the DPO simply fell flat on Bhattar, Saddar, Hassanabdal and Hazro police stations.

The source said that the biggest hurdle to arresting the operators of these dens were some low-ranking police officials, who would warn the criminals in advance about the crackdown.

Seeing this situation, the DPO gave the task to the Elite Force. According to the new order, the police stations will be informed just a few minutes before the crackdown.

The force had recently seized 750 gram heroin, two rifles, one revolver and 18 bullets from the possession of three alleged drug-pushers during a surprise raid on a notorious gambling den in Saydan village of Saddar police station, Hassanabdal.

The force also raided another den in the same village and seized three persons along with 72 bottles of liquor.

In another raid the force raided a gambling den and seized 15 people, Rs1,96,950 in cash, one luxury car, one motorcycle, jewellery, cell phones and wrist watches.

DIG visits Pindigheb: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, Rawalpindi Range, Moravat Ali Shah visited the Pindigheb sub- divisional police circle on Thursday.

On the occasion, DPO Attock Zafar Iqbal Awan briefed the DIG about the law and order situation in the circle.