Operation Zarb-e-Ahan

Operation Zarb-e-Ahan
Part of Organised crime in Pakistan

A ranger in Sindh, their Punjabi counterparts were instrumental in the operation’s success
Date28 March 2016 – 20 April 2016 (24 days)
Location
Rajanpur District, Punjab
Result Pakistani victory[1][2]
Belligerents

Pakistan Pakistan

Chotu gang
Commanders and leaders

Pakistan Nawaz Sharif
(Prime Minister of Pakistan)

Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif
(Chief Minister of Punjab)

Raheel Sharif
(Chief of Army Staff)

Lt. Col Asim Raza Khan Sajid

IG Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera

Ghulam Rasool (POW)

Pyara Rasool (POW)

other local commanders
Strength
2,400 300
Casualties and losses

Punjab Police: 6 killed, 24 abducted

Punjab Rangers: None

Pakistan Army: None		 54 killed, 175+ arrested
24 policemen held by the Chotu gang released

Operation Zarb-e-Ahan was an operation conducted jointly by the Pakistan Army, Punjab Rangers and Punjab Police.[3] The operation targeted the Chotu gang, a band of dacoits (bandits) who regularly committed murders, kidnappings, and highway robbery. The operation was successful, with many gang members being killed and captured, including its leader, Ghulam Rasool.[4] Afterwards, the Government of Pakistan consolidated their control, and the Chotu gang became defunct.

  1. ^ "Chotu gang surrenders before Pak Army, captives released". thenews.com.pk. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  2. ^ "Chotu surrenders". thefridaytimes.com. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  3. ^ "The bitter truth about Chotu's gang". The Nation. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  4. ^ Gabol, Dawn com | Imran (2016-04-20). "Chotoo, gang members surrender unconditionally to army: ISPR". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-01-04.