Punjab police’s grand operation against the dacoits of Katcha area has now entered into its 60th day, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

Spokesman for the police has said that during the last two months, 12 most fearsome dacoits have been killed, over eight have been injured, 26 have surrendered, while 51 have been taken into custody.

The spokesman has further said that so far just one policeman, Muhammad Qasim, has embraced martyrdom while three have been injured in clashes with bandits.

He has disclosed that the police have managed to retrieve 60, 000 acres of land from the possession of dacoits which, hitherto, was considered to be a ‘no go’ area. “State writ has been enforced in these areas as police pickets have been set up,” he has explained.

The spokesman has informed that three police community schools and two dispensaries have been built over the land retaken from dacoits.

Furthermore, he has added, the Force has recovered machine guns, rocket launchers, G-3, SMG, LMGs, Kalashnikovs, repeaters, hand grenades and hundreds of bullets from them.

Similarly, the spokesman has said, that the police have succeeded in destroying dozens of hideouts of katcha criminals.

On the other hand, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has directed that intelligence-based targeted operations against the outlaws must continue.

Reporter: Ali Sahi