LAHORE: The Lund Gang, which captured two police officials in District Rajanpur’s Katcha area, has refused to release the abductees taken on May 27, The News has learnt.
According to sources, the Lund Gang demanded Rs 2 million and release of Abdul Wahid Lund and Samad Lund who are in prison to barter for the release of the two police officials. As they were kidnapped, the Rajanpur Police tried to get them released through negotiations but to no avail. The task was given to a powerful Sardar of the Mazari tribe. On the behalf of Sardar, Wadera Riaz Gul Zimkani and Ali Dost talked to all gangs regarding the recovery/release of the police officials. According to a high official in the Home Department, the Lathani and Sakhani Gangs had taken oath on Quran that they would not kidnap police officials. After that all gangs including Sakhani, Lund, Umrani, Lathani, Indher, etc were asked, all denied kidnapping the police officials except the Lund Gang. At first, the Lund gang had given consent to release the abducted cops. After one day, the gang members changed their mind when the CIA Police arrested the sister and brother-in-law of Khuda Bukhsh Lund.
When The News contacted Faisal Gulzar, district police officer, he said the negotiation stage has passed. “We have launched a full-fledged operation against the gangsters to release of the Jawans. The gangs have been besieged by the police. He said an operation is ongoing until the gangs are eliminated from this area.
“Around 1,000 personnel equipped with armoured personnel carriers are taking part in the operation,” said the spokesperson to the Rajanpur Police. Additionally, the police have decided to use drone cameras to locate the hideouts of bandits, murderers and other outlaws hiding in Katcha areas. The police have surrounded the riverine areas of Rajanpur. The gangs have no way to escape from there.
Since 2002, many operations were held in the riverine areas of Rajanpur and the police failed to curb hardcore criminals. The Lathani Gang escaped to the Katcha area of Sindh. From 2002 to 2015, operations against the gangs were conducted, which ended after negotiations and ways of escape were given to them. In 2008, 2010 and 2013, operations were conducted with heavy contingents but desired results were not achieved.
In 2016, the Operation Zarb-e-Ahan was launched by the Pakistan Army against the Chhotu Gang who surrendered along with 12 accomplices. In 2021, another operation Raddul Sariq was initiated at the request of PTI MNA Riaz Mahmood Mazari. The hiding places were destroyed yet no one was arrested. The gangs fled to Balochistan and Sindh. As the Rangers left Katcha areas, the gangs came back to their hideouts. Quite opposite to the public perception that the gangs are supported by Sardars, the impression was dispelled by MNA Sardar Riaz Mahmood Mazari who spoke at the National Assembly and demanded restoration of peace. He had demanded a full-fledged operation against the gangs. Regarding this, Mazari had held several meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, former interior minister Ijaz Shah, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and different IGPs during the PTI government.
According to sources, now, the gangs cannot flee the scene as the operation is ongoing in Sindh. The Punjab Police have blocked their ways from Balochistan’s side too. In the past, the escape routes these gangs used included Jango Thandi towards Balochistan, Katcha Jamal towards Balochistan, Garri Sorri towards Balochistan, Rakh Shahwali towards Sindh, Nauzband, Guddu Barrage towards Sindh, Katcha Razi towards District Rahim Yar Khan, Chak Danwani towards Rahim Yar Khan and Chak Bailay Shah towards Rahim Yar Khan.