Pakistan army starts operation to flush Chotu gang from Punjab

Islamabad: The Pakistan army on Saturday carried out an operation to oust a criminal gang, which was holding as many as 24 hostages at its hideout on an island in the province of Punjab.

The head of the Pakistan Army’s publicity wing, General Asim Bajwa said that the army had been officially deployed to flush the gangsters from the six-mile-long island situated at the centre of the Indus River.

The television stations of Pakistan reported early on Saturday that the gang’s head Ghulam Rasool, also known as Chotu, a long-time criminal active at the border areas of Punjab and Sindh, had surrendered. The reports, however, could not be independently confirmed as the siege was ongoing in the afternoon according to the latest announcements of the Pakistan army.

Highlights:

• The operation, involving more than 1,600 security-men, is in its 11^th day.
• The Punjab law minister had given the gang 48 hours to surrender or be wiped out.
• Seven gang members had been killed by the police and eight injured while six police officials died in the battle.
• The clashes are occurring near Rajanpur, which is one of the poorest districts in Punjab.

General Bajwa's Tweets about the operation:

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) April 16, 2016

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) April 16, 2016