RAJANPUR: An operation against Chotu Gang gained momentum on its sixteenth day as two police officers were killed, three injured and 15 were held hostage.
The Punjab riverine area became a warzone as law enforcers clashed with heavily armed gangsters. The air echoed with gunshots.
An army helicopter took the injured to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital.
A Geo News reporter said that though firing has stopped law enforcers have cordoned off the area.
Police, rangers and intelligence officers took part in the operation which arrested over 200 gangsters.
Mobile phones services remained shut in the area for the second day in a row.
Punjab IG Mushtaq Sukhera supervised the entire operation. He said that recovering the 15 policemen held hostage was their first priority.
Police say that members of Chotu Gang are equipped with sophisticated weapons and also supported by banned outfits.
Over 1600 police officers from seven districts are taking part in this operation.