GUJRANWALA, Jan 20: DIG (operations) Khadim Hussain Bhatti said sniffer dogs had led investigators to the house of a noted figure to trace the culprits involved in dacoity incidents in Kotli Mughalan village in Ferozewala a few days ago.

Talking to journalists here on Saturday, the DIG said that SHO Wasim Dar and a sub-inspector, who was a relative of the noted personality, had already been suspended.

He warned that police officials involved in patronizing criminals would be taken to task.

The crime graph, he said, had increased in the city owing to the shortage of constables. He said about 800 constables recruited recently would soon join the police force.

Mr Bhatti said that a special team, comprising an SP, a DSP and experienced inspectors, had been constituted to check the rising incidents of kidnap for ransom.

LOOTED: A gang of 25 armed bandits looted two houses and deprived some 60 passersby of cash and valuables at Alipur road here on Saturday.

Reports said armed dacoits barged into the house of Dr Naeem Butt in Mirajpura, held up a woman inmate, collected Rs60,000 in cash and jewellery and escaped. Later, the same dacoits intruded into the house of Muhammad Pervaiz, Dr Butt’s neighbours, and held the inmates hostage. They gathered Rs200,000 in cash, 30 tolas of gold and escaped after locking the family in a room.

After these strikes, dacoits picketed on Alipur Road, the main way leading to Wazirabad tehsil areas. They continued the looting spree for hours and deprived 60 passersby of their cash and valuables.

Muhammad Munir said that outlaws had been throwing the victims to nearby fields after tying them with ropes.

A duty officer at the Aroop police station did confirm the occurrence of dacoity incidents at Mirajpura and Ali Road. However, no case has so far been registered. — Correspondent