KASUR, April 14: Kasur police claimed on Saturday arresting 17 criminals of five dacoits’ gangs and recovering cash and valuables besides illegal weapons from their possession.

A team formed by DPO Tariq Abbas and SP (investigation) Ali Mohsin and led by the Chunian DSP and Allahabad SHO busted gangs of Siddique alias Siddiqi, Rashid alias Rashdi, Ishaq alias Ishaqi, Afzal and Usman.

The police also recovered Rs446,400 in cash, 14 tolas of gold and other valuables worth Rs400,000 besides illegal weapons from them.

The arrested criminals were sent on the judicial remand while raids were on for the arrest of their remaining accomplices.

Punjab Minister Hassan Akhtar Moakil announced cash prizes for the raiding team in a press conference. He also distributed cheques of Rs300,000 each among the five widows of police officials.