RAWALPINDI: Leader of a feared gang, Ghulam Rasool alias Chhottu has surrendered unconditionally before the army along with his 13 gang-members as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Ahan carried out against the gang in Katcha Jamal on the left bank of River Indus in Southern Punjab.
Speaking at a press conference, DG Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Asim Bajwa on Wednesday said all the hostages including 24 policemen, as many women, 44 children and four elderly men were safely recovered from the Chhottu gang’s captivity.
He said there were clear guidelines to complete the operation by ensuring safe release of women, children and other hostages, adding that the army will hold its position in the area till the last dacoit is either taken into custody or taken out.
The DG ISPR said the dacoits taken into custody will be thoroughly interrogated. He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has lauded the army troops for carrying out a successful operation.
Security personnel had given heavily armed gangsters on an island hideout in Rajanpur until Sunday night to release abducted policemen and surrender, or 'be wiped out'.
The army on Friday evening took over control of the operation to dislodge the – Chhotu Gang — holding hostages on the island hideout in Rajanpur.
Over 1600 security personnel took part in the operation which continued for 23 days.
The News adds: Sources revealed the Chhottu Gang had surrendered to the army after getting surrounded in its citadel in Katcha Jamal. This surrender was the outcome of mediation of important local Sardars from the Mazari tribe (Tumman).
A bigwig from Rohjhan, the last tehsil of Punjab in the district Rajanpur on the right bank of River Indus, tried to facilitate the surrender through media persons already in touch with Chhotu.
It was learnt the agencies, which were already active, ensured the success of the operation through direct contacts of local Sardars with Chhotu, capitalising on the existing influence of the Mazari tribe in that part of the Katchha Area. The breakthrough was made on Tuesday evening with talks replacing the guns. The same Sardars had earlier helped the police recover the bodies of police officials killed last week. At that time, the Sardars had acquired the services of mediators.
It was also learnt that around 50 crime cases of different nature, including some under 7 ATA, have already been registered against the Chhotu. According to sources, Chhotu would be tried in civil courts.