DG KHAN: The military grasped the command of a continuing operation against Chotu
Gang in the area of Rajanpur district on Saturday as helicopter firing carried
out more excursions, hitting hideouts of gangsters in the region.
“Army troops positioned, take over charge of
the operation. Cordon reinforced,” Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, the director
general of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) wrote on Twitter. Police
and Rangers personnel would continue to participate under the army’s command,
he added.
Op in Kacha:Army troops deployed.Take over charge of op.Cordon reinforced,Police&Rangers already in op will cont to participate under Army-1— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) 16 April 2016
Op in Kacha:Whatever resources required,will be employed to accomplish mission. Updated Info about op will be shared regularly-2— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) 16 April 2016
A mature, two-branched military operation against the Chotu Gang of Dera Ghazi Khan is expected today (Friday) after hundreds of army groups arrived in Rahim yar Khan and Rajanpur on Thursday night.
Nearby 500 soldiers, plus two groups of Zarrar Commandos, hovered into Rahimyar Khan’s Farid Airbase from Okara while two companies of 33 Punjab Regiment from Multan arrived in Rajanpur with four helicopters.
Nine companies of paramilitary Punjab Rangers have also been positioned in Rahimyar Khan and Rajanpur, with powers likely to go for the final push within the next 24 hours.
Punjab Rangers DG Maj Gen Umar Farooq Barki and Brig Ziauddin are likely to oversee the operation named ‘Zarb-e-Aahan’.
On Thursday, the clampdown against the gangsters of Rajanpur continued for the 18th day, a day after the Chotu Gang killed seven and kidnapped 22 policemen in violent clashes in the Kacha Jamal area in South Punjab.
Only three bodies of the seven assassinated policemen have been recovered due to penetrating gunfights, with the Chotu Gang bullying to kill the kidnapped policemen one by one.
The boldness of the Chotu Gang provoked the government to position two army helicopter gunships for air strikes on their hideaways. The raids were put on hold with the police chief looking for ground support from the army.
Punjab IGP Mushtaq Sukhera met Multan Corps Commander in Rahim Yar Khan and asked for the army’s help in removing Chotu Gang from the area.
Chotu has demanded the release of his companions, withdrawal of police and Rangers and pull apart of security check-posts in his region, and the return of the gang’s weapons for ending the disaster.
Police have rejected accepting any demands and are, as a substitute preparing for a large-scale operation. For the rescue of the 22 kidnapped policemen, residents have been contacted through powerful tribal leaders.
Rajanpur DPO Ghulam Mubashar Maikan said the police accomplished to clear some “no-go” areas in current raids that had been unapproachable for the past 20 years.
He added the police is ready for a large operation within 24 hours as the Chotu Gang had taken women and children captive in some areas.
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