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Operation against remnants of Chotu gang continues

Islamabad - The areas resounded with shelling as both security forces and criminal gangs reportedly used modern artillery.

Troops supported by armoured vehicles and helicopter gunships carried out a major ground offensive on Sunday in Kacha Jamal and Kacha Moro areas of South Punjab's Rajanpur district as the ongoing operation against criminal gangs entered its 26th day.
The areas resounded with shelling as both security forces and criminal gangs reportedly used modern artillery. There were reports that the criminal gangs had suffered heavy causalities as the security forces, led by Pakistan Army, called 10 more boats to pick up the dead and injured dacoits.
Though the ring leader of the Chotu gang, Ghulam Rasool, has already surrendered along with some other members of the group, the remnants who continue to defy the operation are entrenched in bunkers in smaller groups. They refused to respond to ultimatums to lay down arms.
According to sources, the security forces started their ground offensive at early morning and destroyed almost 10 hideouts of the criminal gangs, including Imrani, Sukhani, Lund, Gopang, Pallu and Ataullah Patt gangs.
There were reports of heavy casualties. However, the actual number of deaths could not be confirmed. An emergency has already been announced at the government hospitals in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
The army also recaptured a check post, which had been under the gangs' control. There were also reports that the forces arrested 12 more alleged gangsters. On Friday, eleven alleged facilitators of Ataullah Patt gang surrendered to police.
news@khaleejtimes.com

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