LAHORE - Investigation police claimed to have arrested 173 members of 52 criminal gangs allegedly involved in more than 300 cases of different nature during the month of January, said spokesman for police on Sunday.
He said that stolen items worth more than Rs 15 million and illegal weapons were also recovered from the criminals. SSP investigation said that the criminals arrested included 74 members of Hashoo, Jugnu, Shada, Shauki and Shera dacoit gang who are history sheeters in various cases including dacoity and murder.
He said that accused used to form new gangs after release from prisons. They have confessed to as many as 300 cases of crimes including dacoity, murder, robbery, house robbery, burglary, car and motorcycle theft in various areas of Lahore including in different parts of the city. Out of 300 cases 123 were committed in the month of January. Police have recovered looted items worth more than Rs 15 million from the criminals which include gold ornaments, mobile phones, laptops, cash more than four dozen motorcycles and cars and other valuables besides modern weapons.
The criminals of Hashoo and Shera dacoit gangs murdered four citizens in Sheikhupura and Faisalabad in September 2014 for putting up resistance and are proclaimed offenders in these cases.