LARKANA: Police said on Thursday that several bandits with millions of bounty on their heads, have surrendered to the law.

According to the district police, 16 bandits of Dahani gang have laid down arms before the police, which also included notorious dacoit Sharif Dahani with Rs. five million bounty on his head.

While the government had announced Rs. three million head money over Akbar and Saifal Dahani each.

Meanwhile, Akbar Soomro, another member of the notorious gang, has Rs. one million prize on his head, and Asghar and Bhooro Dahani each carrying Rs 5 Lac head money.

The surrendering dacoits were wanted to police in several heinous cases, including murder, robbery, and police encounters.

Police and other law enforcement agencies have launched an operation against bandit gangs operating in katcha areas.

Police officials stated the police’s effective strategy and strict measures have made it difficult for bandits and other outlaws to operate in the region.

An illegal network involved in selling mobile users’ confidential data has been uncovered following a complaint by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), leading to a joint operation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore.

According to the PTA, three suspects were arrested during the raid. Authorities recovered five mobile phones, eight biometric devices, 43 suspected SIM cards, and other sensitive digital data.

The PTA said investigators have found evidence suggesting that confidential data was being bought and sold through WhatsApp.

The suspects allegedly traded call detail records (CDRs), IMEI numbers, subscriber information, and users’ location data.

Officials further stated that the recovered records also contained citizens’ fingerprints, national identity card details, and evidence relating to financial transactions.

A case has been registered against the suspects, while efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to be linked to the network.

Read more: PTA chairman confirms Pakistanis data available on dark web for Rs500

The PTA reiterated that protecting consumers’ personal and confidential data remains a top priority and said legal action against those involved in the illegal trade of sensitive information will continue.

The authority added that forensic analysis is being carried out to gather additional evidence as the investigation progresses.

Last year, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, confirmed that the personal data of Pakistani citizens has been found on the dark web.

The revelation came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan. The committee discussed recent media reports suggesting that a major data breach had occurred in the telecom sector.

“A report surfaced three weeks ago indicating that some Pakistani citizens’ data had appeared on the dark web. Upon verification, we found that personal data of Pakistani citizens was indeed available there,” the PTA Chairman informed the committee.

He disclosed that the leaked data includes copies of national identity cards (CNICs), travel history, and mobile SIM details.

Peshawar  –  On the special directives of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, KP Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan paid a detailed visit to Haripur to review the progress of key ongoing irrigation projects, including the under-construction Chapra Dam and Daur Right Bank Canal.

During the visit, the minister conducted a comprehensive inspection of the construction activities at both projects. Expressing serious concern over the slow pace of work, he directed the concerned officials to accelerate construction activities and ensure the timely completion of the projects in the larger public interest.

Member of the Provincial Assembly Akbar Ayub, Director General Small Dams, Superintending Engineer (SE), Executive Engineer (XEN), and other senior officials of the Irrigation Department accompanied the minister during the visit.

At Chapra Dam, the minister thoroughly inspected various components of the project. The relevant authorities briefed him in detail on the project’s construction progress, hydrology, spillway, and outlet works.

Speaking on the occasion, Riaz Khan said that Chapra Dam is a project of immense importance for the people of Haripur and will significantly contribute to the promotion of agriculture and sustainable water management in the region. He made it clear that no negligence or unnecessary delay in the execution of the project would be tolerated.

The minister directed the concerned authorities to complete the Chapra Dam on priority basis while ensuring that the highest standards of construction quality are maintained without any compromise.

Later, the minister visited the Daur Right Bank Canal, where he inspected the under-construction canal. Officials of the Irrigation Department briefed him on the progress of the project .

Issuing necessary directions to the officials on-site, Riaz Khan emphasized that transparency, quality, and adherence to engineering standards must be ensured throughout the construction process.

He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, the current  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is fully committed to providing essential public services, promoting good governance, and ensuring the timely completion of development projects through the effective utilization of all available resources.

The minister concluded by saying  that projects such as Chapra Dam and the Daur Right Bank Canal are vital for the economic development and prosperity of Haripur, and their timely completion remains one of the foremost priorities of the provincial government.