LAHORE: Police claim to have recovered nine hostages and arrested 46 suspected dacoits during the ongoing operation in the Katcha area falling in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts, forcing 18 criminals to surrender.
During the ongoing police operation in Katcha area, that has entered its 42nd day on Saturday, police teams continued shelling on the hideouts of alleged criminals and forced them to retreat.
According to a press release, 10 dacoits had been killed so far in RY Khan and Rajanpur police operations, while 46 others have been arrested and 18 have surrendered.
During the operation, the police teams have safely recovered nine persons taken hostage by these criminals, says the release.
18 criminals forced to surrender to police
A Punjab police spokesperson says the force equipped with modern weapons and armored vehicles entered the hard area of Katcha Moro and achieved “great success” through timely action.
He says a criminal, Waqar alias Waqari Imrani, who was a symbol of fear in the area, surrendered with his five accomplices. He says that in Katcha Moro, the hideouts of Gora Imrani and his gang involved in kidnap for ransom, theft, robbery, dacoity etc are being besieged and advancement is underway. Armoured vehicles of police have demolished secret hideouts of criminals in the area, he adds.
DG Khan Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Hasan Khan says Waqar alias Waqari of Imrani gang was involved in serious crimes like kidnap for ransom, dacoity, robbery, arms smuggling and murder.
He says a huge quantity of weapons, SMG guns and ammunition was also recovered from the surrendering criminals.
The spokesperson says that Rahim Yar Khan police have focused on Katcha Rajwani area after clearing Katcha Karachi, and have also used drone technology to trace and chase dacoits in Katcha Rajwani peninsula in the River Indus.
Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Umar Gondal says the police have also upgraded a school and a dispensary in the area on self-help basis, moving the both facilities from tents to buildings.
Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2023
