3,386 suspects arrested in crackdown on illegal firearms

LAHORE : In a continued crackdown on illegal firearms and aerial firing, Lahore Police have arrested 3,386 suspects and registered 3,305 cases over the past three months, according to a statement issued by the spokesman Lahore Police on Saturday.

The spokesman detailed that 245 suspects involved in aerial firing were apprehended, leading to 209 cases, while 3,141 individuals were arrested for possession of illegal weapons with 3,096 FIRs registered in various police stations across the city. Recovered from the arrested individuals were 26 Kalashnikovs, 164 rifles, 108 guns, and 2,756 revolvers, he said.

The breakdown by police division led to 653 arrests in Cantt Division, 318 in Civil Lines, 663 in City Division, 405 in Iqbal Town, 791 in Saddar and 556 in Model Town Division, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana reaffirmed the department’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against lawbreakers.

“We are taking indiscriminate action against unlicensed arms dealers and those without proper licenses to repair firearms,” he said.

He directed that individuals spreading fear through illegal weapons or celebratory gunfire be brought to justice adding that close monitoring be ensured on the sale and purchase of illegal weapons. The CCPO emphasized that those involved in displaying firearms or engaging in aerial firing will receive no leniency. He also directed strict action against individuals promoting firearms or aerial firing on social media. He concluded by urging citizens to uphold the rule of law and avoid any illegal activities.