MANSEHRA: A criminal wanted for over three dozen cases of murder, attempted murder and police encounters, surrendered here on Tuesday.

Sabir alias Sabira was produced before the media during the news conference of district police officer Najeebur Rehman.

The DPO said the arrested man wanted for 38 serious crimes surrendered to the police following the killing of his many accomplices in encounters with police in Danna mountainous area of Tanawal.

He said the gang had murdered people, kidnapped many for ransom, and had encounters with the police.

`Sabir has surrendered to the police seeking protection of his life,` he said. Rehman said Danna was considered a safe haven for criminals, who had attacked and killed or injured the policemen during the past operations.

He said the effective police operations had eliminated many outlaws and that the area would be free from criminals soon.

The DPO said over 80 members of two criminal groups had surrendered to the police over the years.