- Spokesperson says Punjab Police crackdown forces 23 more most-wanted bandits to lay down arms
- Says Rs10m, Rs5m head-money dacoits among those who surrendered to police
LAHORE: Punjab Police’s sustained and intelligence-driven crackdown on dacoits in the Katcha areas of Rajanpur continues to yield tangible results, as 23 more most-wanted bandits surrendered to the police, taking the total number of dacoits who have laid down their arms over the past five days to 52, a Punjab Police spokesperson said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the spokesperson said that those who surrendered include leaders of multiple criminal gangs and highly dangerous dacoits wanted in cases involving the killing of police personnel, murder, kidnapping for ransom, and armed robbery.
Recalling recent developments, the spokesperson said that a day earlier, 18 most-wanted dacoits had surrendered along with their weapons, including notorious dacoit Wahab Lund, who carried a head money of Rs10 million, as well as ringleaders of several criminal gangs. Another notorious outlaw, Shahideen Lund, who was carrying a head money of Rs5 million, was also among those who surrendered.
The spokesperson added that a day before yesterday, 11 dacoits surrendered along with their weapons during the ongoing Rajanpur Police operation in the Katcha area.
Commenting on the development, Rajanpur District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Imran said that all surrendered and arrested criminals would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that stern and indiscriminate action would continue against criminal elements without exception.
He further said that major targeted operations are currently underway in Katcha Karachi and Katcha Umrani, where police are using drone technology to locate and strike dacoits’ hideouts. Several hideouts have been destroyed, while multiple criminals sustained serious injuries during the operations.
Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar directed that the ongoing operations against Katcha criminals be further intensified and executed more effectively, reaffirming that a zero-tolerance policy against criminal elements would continue to ensure the safety of citizens and protection of their property.
