LAKKI MARWAT, July 8: Law enforcement agencies launched an operation in Takhtikhel area of the district, bordering the tribal belt of Frontier Region, after elders failed to hand over criminals and kidnappers to the police, official sources said on Tuesday.

The Serai Naurang circle sub-divisional police officer Usman Ghani held a meeting with the elders of Takhtikhel at Shah Tora village few days ago, sources said.

The police officer had asked the elders to hand over anti-social elements involved in kidnapping for ransom, car snatching and other crimes of heinous nature, otherwise the law enforcement agencies would be compelled to launch an operation to wipe out the criminals.

According to sources the failure on part of elders to surrender criminals paved the way for law enforcement agencies to launch an operation in the Takhtikhel. The area is considered a stronghold of militants and outlaws. Sources said that district police officer Rommel Akram was supervising the operation.

Heavy contingent of police and Frontier Constabulary from Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts backed by armoured personnel carriers were sent to the area on Monday night, sources maintained.

Takhtikhel had become a self declared ‘no go area’ for the law enforcement agencies, the sources said, adding that it was inevitable to launch a cleanup operation to restore writ of the government and uproot criminals from the area.

They said that personnel of law enforcement agencies apprehended 22 alleged criminals and recovered two AK 47 assault rifles, two stolen motorcycles and two cars during the operation.—Correspondent