Security forces capture ‘Chotu Gang’ leader after 20-day battle

The battle between security forces and the bandits’ gang continued over 20 days in the riverine area of Rajanpur and eventually the operation ended with arrest and surrender of the gang before Pakistan Army soldiers.

Sources informed that Ghulam Rasool was moved to unidentified location via helicopter, reported our correspondent Raja Shahid.

Read more: Chhotu gang releases hostages, surrenders to Army: sources

While his 273 accomplices, rounded up during the operation, will be handed over to Punjab police today, sources added.

Chhotu gang releases hostages, surrenders to… by arynews

How it all started?

The authorities on April 15 had sent 150 soldiers to help rescue 24 police held hostage by a gang of heavily armed criminals after a bungled raid on their island stronghold.

Up to 1,500 officers were involved in the failed raid against some 150 men armed with rocket launchers and machine guns, authorities said.

Six policemen had already been killed in the operation launched last week against members of the  “Chotu gang” on an island in the Indus river.

“Our cops attempted to reach their base by two boats in the river, and the criminals came right in front of them and there was heavy exchange of fire,” a police official in the operation said.

Read more: Army takes over charge of operation against ‘Chotu Gang’ in Rajanpur

The criminals were armed with “rocket launchers, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns”, he said.

“We called the army for help and are evolving a new strategy,” district police chief Ghulam Mubashir Maken had stated.

The operation against the gang began on April 1 with police confining the gang members to a roughly 10 kilometre area.