Army troops arrive in Rajanpur to counter Chotu gang
Terror outfits-backed criminals are still keeping 24 police personnel hostage on the third day
RAJANPUR (Dunya News) – At least 150 military parachutists landed in Kacha area while a contingent of another 500 reached the troubled areas by road to participate in operation against Chotu gang, Dunya News reported Friday.
Forces have been beefed up on 18th day of operation against the gang that has survived as many as seven operations in the past.
On the other hand, terror outfits-backed criminals are still keeping 24 police personnel hostage on the third day.
Earlier on Tuesday, the gang had handed over bodies of five cops who were martyred in an encounter.
Know more: Chotu Gang hands back 6 dead bodies, releases 4 injured officers
At least seven cops were martyred while 24 held hostage by the gang after some 150 police personnel entered Kacha Jamal area at around 3am in a covert movement earlier this week.
The martyred troops included a station house officer (SHO). Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif addressed a session in Lahore today and announced Rs 5 million compensation money for each bereaved family of the martyred personnel. He also announced Rs 2.5 million for a house for each family while the government would bear different expenses of the children including education.
He further said that at least one member of the grieving families would be given a government job.
CM Shahbaz was earlier briefed by authorities on Thursday about the ongoing operation. Sources said that the authorities concerned presented a forged report concealing the facts that number of policemen deployed was insufficient and shortage of weapons was an issue as well.
The Chief Minister resented the officials over failed operation against the gang.
Meanwhile, another 300 Elite Force commandos have been deployed in Kacha Jamal One and Kacha Jamal Two while two kilometre (km) long surrounding area has been sealed.
Intermittent firing and skirmishes are continuing in the troubled area. Locals in adjoining villages have started to migrate to safer places.
On the other hand, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has claimed that the gang would either surrender or be killed within coming 24 hours to 48 hours.
Know more: Chotu gang to surrender or to be sent to hell within next 48 hours, claims Sanaullah
The gang is involved in numerous criminal activities and is associated with anti-state elements including Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
More than 150 aides of the dacoits have been arrested so far while five criminals killed. Security forces have destroyed numerous hideouts of the miscreants in Kacha Jamal One and Two.
WATCH VIDEO:
