Chhotu Gang surrenders, hostages released

RAJANPUR: The 24 policemen held hostage were released as the Chhotu Gang surrendered to the security forces on Wednesday.

The gangsters who laid down arms include their leader Ghullam Rasool alias Chhotu, sources said.

A search operation at the Kacha Jamal Area is underway, a Geo News reporter confirmed, after which the area will be declared cleared of the criminals.

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 – Chotu Gang — holding hostages on the island hideout in Rajanpur.

Earlier today, there were unconfirmed reports that the 24 policemen held hostage by the Chhotu Gang had been released. However, while the police confirmed this news, the military leadership remained tight-lipped over the issue.

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 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.