Pakistan Army on Monday launched an offensive to dislodge the notorious Chhotu Gang holding policemen as hostages on its island hideout in Punjab’s Rajanpur district.
Earlier, security personnel had given the heavily armed gangsters until Sunday night to release the abducted policemen and surrender, or “be wiped out”. Twenty four police personnel are being held hostage by the gang.
The security operation involving more than 1,600 security forces has now been in progress for more than 20 days, with soldiers deployed to flush out gangsters from the 10 kms long island in the centre of the Indus River.
At least six police officials have been killed since the start of the operation – Zarb-e-Aahan – to recapture the island.
