LAHORE – Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday said that the provincial government has decided to launch a crackdown against criminal gangs in southern parts of the province bordering Sindh and Balochistan. He said that elite force of the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) would lead the operation while taking Sindh and Balochistan Police on board. “Criminals take refuge in Katcha – areas along the Indus River in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan’s mountains,” he said, brushing aside the impression that the operation was aimed at militant elements. The law minister said that the Chotoo Group – a notorious group of criminals – would be targeted in the operation. ?Army and paramilitary troops would be on standby during crackdown,? he said. The latest drive is expected to focus on Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and tribal areas of the southern belt of Punjab.