- Drone-assisted operation destroys 37 hideouts in riverine belt with total surrenders rise to 342 as crackdown intensifies
- IGP Usman Anwar vows zero tolerance against criminal networks, saying Province-wide action continues against illegal kite flying
LAHORE/RAJANPUR: Punjab Police’s operation against Katcha criminals in Rajanpur continues with full force, as 33 more highly wanted gang members surrendered to police during intensified actions in the areas of Katcha Umrani, Katcha Sukhani and Katcha Karachi.
Rajanpur Police carried out effective and targeted actions against criminal elements, dealing a severe blow to their organised networks operating in the riverine belt.
Sharing details, a Punjab Police spokesperson said that modern technology was employed to identify and strike criminals’ hideouts. As part of the operation, successful drone-assisted attacks were conducted, forcing 33 additional highly wanted gang members to surrender to law enforcement authorities. During the operation, 37 hideouts and bunkers used by criminals were also destroyed.
پنجاب پولیس راجن پور کا کچہ کریمنلز کے خلاف نان اسٹاپ آپریشن جاری۔
ڈرون کارروائیوں میں 37 ٹھکانے اور بنکرز تباہ، مزید 33 انتہائی مطلوب ڈاکوؤں نے سرنڈر کردیا۔ اب تک 342 ڈاکو راجن پور پولیس کے سامنے سرنڈر کر چکے ہیں۔
آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور کی کچہ کریمنلز کے خلاف کامیاب… pic.twitter.com/DeT97ak8dP— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) January 31, 2026
DPO Rajanpur Muhammad Imran said that with the latest surrender, the total number of criminals who have laid down their arms has now reached 342. He added that these individuals were wanted in cases of kidnapping for ransom, murder, robbery and several other heinous crimes.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar lauded the Rajanpur Police for their successful and effective operations against Katcha criminals. He reiterated that under the zero-tolerance policy against criminal elements, indiscriminate action would continue to ensure the safety of citizens and protection of their property at all costs.
Crackdown on illegal kite flying continues
In a related development, Punjab Police continues robust action across the province against metallic kite string and illegal kite flying. The crackdown under the Anti-Kite Flying Act is ongoing in multiple districts, including Lahore.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar said that kite flying anywhere in the province is absolutely intolerable and that strict and indiscriminate action would be taken against violators. He clarified that in Lahore, Basant has been permitted only on specific days in accordance with government-defined conditions and rules, and any kite flying outside these provisions would be treated as illegal.
Providing further details, the Punjab Police spokesperson said that so far this year, 2,992 cases have been registered across the province, including Lahore, under the Anti-Kite Flying Act, and the accused have been arrested. During these operations, police recovered 242,364 kites and 5,108 reels of kite string.
In the provincial capital Lahore, effective operations resulted in the arrest of 1,377 accused, registration of 1,316 cases, and recovery of 81,755 kites and 1,422 reels of kite string.
The Punjab IGP directed that individuals involved in the online sale of metallic kite string and kites should also be brought within the ambit of the law. He appealed to parents to keep their children away from this deadly activity to help protect precious lives.
The IGP further urged citizens to demonstrate responsible citizenship by immediately reporting kite flying at any location by calling 15, assuring that Punjab Police would continue to take all possible measures to safeguard the life and property of the public.
