18 arrested, weapons recovered in Kohat search operations

KOHAT: In an ongoing crackdown on criminal elements, the police have arrested 18 suspects and recovered a cache of weapons during a series of coordinated search and strike operations, officials said on Sunday.

The latest operations, on the directive of District Police Officer (DPO) Dr Zahidullah, were conducted in the jurisdictions of Lachi, Cantt, Bilitang, and Gumbat police stations.

The operations were led by SP CTD Sadaat Khan and SP Saddar Sanobar Khan, with law enforcement teams raiding suspected hideouts of terrorists and wanted criminals. According to police sources, the operations resulted in the arrest of 18 alleged outlaws and detention of 25 others for questioning. Among those apprehended, the sources said, were two most-wanted criminals involved in attempted murder cases.

A significant quantity of arms was recovered during the raids, including one Kalashnikov, three shotguns, 11 pistols, and assorted ammunition of various calibers.The arrested persons have been handed over to relevant police stations for further investigation.

Multiple police units participated in the operations, including DSPs from Lachi, City, and Gumbat divisions, SHOs, CTD, DSB, Elite Force, and other district police teams.The DPO Kohat said that the operations were aimed at safeguarding public life and property and to purge the region of criminal activity. He reaffirmed that similar actions would continue in the future with consistency and determination.