Chhotu in army custody, names politicians, officials

LAHORE: Ghulam Rasool alias Chhotu dacoit is still in the custody of Pakistan Army for interrogation and the names of senior politicians and government officials who have been patronising him have reportedly been exposed during investigation.

Sources in intelligence agency told The News that the rumours about the handing over Chhotu to police were still baseless. He and his accomplices have been kept at an unknown location for further interrogation. Sources further said the information squeezed out from Chhotu was being kept top secret.

However, the investigators of Pakistan Army privy to the development said Chhotu has exposed names of politicians and civil bureaucrats who had been patronising him throughout. To a query, a senior officer said following the surrender of Chhotu and his 12 accomplices, the major force of Pakistan Army was withdrawn. It is also learnt that as a result of heavy shelling by gunship helicopters after the surrender of Chhotu, no members of other criminal gangs were arrested or killed during the six-day long operation. 

Finally, the army handed over the operation to Rangers and police to continue tracking the criminals. The officer said army had mainly focused on the release of hostages and arrest of Chhotu so it accomplished the task and left the area. He further said army carried out combing operation and exchange of fire was also reported between the forces and criminals.

It is worth mentioning that Punjab government had constituted a joint investigation team (JIT) to grill Chhotu and his accomplices and to know about his nexus with police and politicians. The JIT is still waiting for Chhotu's custody. It is being said the first statement of Chhotu in the custody of army would be critical and set further course of investigation.

A senior police officer privy to the development said as Chhotu had surrendered before army on a condition that he would not be handed over to police and army would ensure that he would not be killed once handed over to them. He further said the troops had carried out operation in a very different situation at a time when the ground was prepared by the police. He said the role of police could not be denied as it had laid sacrifice of seven policemen. He said the situation had gone out of control due to the hostages, and also because the police did not have gunship helicopters.