KASUR, Aug 21: Police claimed to have smashed five gangs of drug traffickers and dacoits and recovered narcotics, illicit weapons and vehicles from their possession on Sunday night.

This was said by Kasur DPO Syed Ahmed Mobeen at a press conference here on Monday at his office.

He said a raiding team, led by the Pattoki DSP and Phoolnagar SHO, busted Rajo gang and arrested ring leader Riaz alias Rajo and his accomplices Mushtaq, Khadian Husain, Ibrar, Ashraf and

Javid. The police recovered 60kg hash, 1kg opium and illegal weapons from their possession.

He said the same team raided the hideout of Shoaib gang and arrested Shoaib, Shafqat and Khalid and recovered a stolen 2-D car, dozens of cell phones and gold ornaments worth Rs0.5 million from their possession.

The DPO said another team, headed by the city DSP and Khudian SHO, busted a gang of dacoits and proclaimed offenders after an encounter.

The police arrested its ring leader and accomplices Habib Ali, Iqbal Masih, Shaukat Ali, Hameed and Yayha and recovered a stolen car (IDJ-2859) and illegal weapons. The gangsters had confessed to robberies in Khudian, Ganda Singh and Sadar Kasur during the last six months.

Mr Mobeen said the Pattoki DSP and SHO Saraj Mughal smashed another gang on Monday morning on a tip-off.

Siddique alias Andee and his accomplices were present at their hideout on Sara-i-Mughal link road when the police raided and arrested ring leader Siddique. Shafique and Munir managed their escape. The police recovered a stolen motorcycle and illicit weapons from him.

He said the Pattoki DSP and Sara-i-Mughal SHO smashed a gang of robbers on Monday in the jurisdiction of Sara-i-Mughal.

On a tip-off, the police raided Balokey Road. After an exchange of fire, the police held Shaukat, Ashiq, Mola and Haji Bashir while Akram and Sharif managed their escape.

The police recovered booty, including cash, gold ornaments and cell phones worth Rs0.5 million, from their possession. Constable Anwar got minor injuries during the shootout, he said.

Sheikhupura DIG M. Akram had announced commendation certificates for the policemen.

SUICIDE: A man hanged himself over a family dispute on Monday in Allhabd ward No 6.