Army takes up challenge to wipe off Chhotu Gang

RAJANPUR: The army has taken over the operation at the Punjab riverine area to release 22 policemen held hostage by the Chhotu Gang.

In the operation police and Rangers will also take part, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing of the Pakistan Army tweeted.

“Whatever resources required,will be employed to accomplish mission,” he tweeted, adding that the area had been cordoned off.

The government had imposed curfew at the Punjab riverine area on Saturday as the operation against the Chhotu gang reached its nineteenth day.

After the Chhotu gang captured 22 policemen on Wednesday, the operation was temporarily suspended as Punjab IG Mushtaq Sukhera said that recovering the policemen was their first priority.

The Chhotu Gang, which operates in the border areas of Sindh and Punjab, released four injured police officers on Thursday.

Police and the gang are separated by a 1.5 kilometer side stream of the River Indus, which has to be covered on boats. The gangsters shoot them down as they try crossing the river, a source said.

Sources said that the gang has stocked several days of food and is armed with heavy ammunition.

At least seven policemen and four gangsters have been killed in the operation so far.