DERA GHAZI KHAN: In a major development near the Balochistan border, security forces and police have cleared a stronghold of bandits in the mountainous Koh-i-Suleiman range, an area that had remained a no-go zone for 42 years.

The breakthrough came after notorious criminal Mureed Noakani, along with his 11 accomplices, surrendered to authorities. It is result of coordinated efforts of Gorchani tribal elders and law-enforcement agencies.

According to Rajanpur District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Imran, the individuals who laid down arms were wanted in numerous cases involving serious crimes such as kidnapping for ransom, murder, and robbery. Noakani had established a fortified hideout in the border region between Punjab and Balochistan. Among those who surrendered was Pir Bakhsh, also known as Pira, a member of the Khosa tribe who had a bounty of Rs2 million on his head.

The DPO said Noakani had connections with a banned terrorist organisation in Balochistan and had been providing shelter to its operatives. The operation was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Punjab Police, Border Military Police, Baloch Levies, and other sensitive security agencies. With this action, the area controlled by the Gorchani tribe in the Koh-i-Suleiman range has been cleared of bandits after more than four decades.

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A formal surrender ceremony was held in the Matkund area of Tehsil Jampur, Rajan pur. During the event, Mureed Noakani, considered one of the most dangerous criminals in the Koh-i-Suleiman region, surrendered unconditionally before government authorities alongside his accomplices. Officials present at the ceremony included the DPO and political assistant of Rajanpur, Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Sher Ali Khan Gorchani, MPA Pervez Iqbal Khan Gorchani, as well as officials of agencies.

Noakani, a high-profile proclaimed offender, was allegedly linked with anti-state elements, including networks affiliated with the banned BLA and BRA operating in the region. He was implicated in multiple serious criminal cases across Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts. During the ceremony, he announced his unconditional surrender and assured authorities of his loyalty to the state, pledging to refrain from all criminal activities in the future.

Officials confirmed that Noakani will now have to face approximately 35 criminal cases registered against him in Rajanpur and DG Khan districts in a court of law.

The authorities acknowledged the role of Sher Ali Khan Gorchani and Pervez Iqbal Khan Gorchani in facilitating dialogue and cooperation with intelligence agencies, which ultimately led to the peaceful surrender of the wanted criminal and his group.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2026