24 policemen held hostage released by Chhotu Gang: unconfirmed reports

ISLAMABAD: There are unconfirmed reports that the 24 policemen held hostage by the Chhotu Gang have been released. However, while the police confirmed this news, the military leadership remained tight-lipped over the issue.

Security agencies pounded the gang’s sanctuaries all through Tuesday. The gangsters responded with equal vigour, as the operation reached its twenty third day.

The operation involving more than 2,000 security forces has been ongoing for two weeks and the army’s push to deploy troops, artillery and helicopter gunships is an unprecedented use of force by the military in Punjab.

The News adds: Earlier in the evening, sources revealed the Chhottu Gang had surrendered to the army after getting surrounded in its citadel in Kacha 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.