ISLAMABAD: The AntiCar Lifting Cell (ACLC) of the Islamabad Police busted 22 criminals gangs, besides recovering 137 stolen vehicles.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, SSP (Operations) Sajid Kiani stated the ACLC recovered 114 vehicles and 23 motorbikes. It also nabbed 124 car lifters in connection with the 224 cases registered with different police stations of the capital and after completing investigation challans were submitted in the court, he added.

Extra vigilance of ACLC brought more success as it also recovered 10.080gram hashish, 106 wine bottles, 95 cans of beer and four 30 bore pistols, the SSP stated, adding that five proclaimed offenders and three court absconders were also arrested by it.

The SSP Operations handed over keys of 40 stolen vehicles and eight bikes to their owners and stated that efforts were being made to trace the remaining owners of the vehicles and bikes and the process would soon be completed.

He said several ACLC policemen got injured in police encounters and their services would be remembered for ever.

The SSP stated that car and bike lifting incidents were at peak in 2014 as 766 vehicles and 442 motorbikes were lifted in that year.

Efforts are being made to control this crime and ensure more recovery as 76 vehicles and 16 bil(es were recovered in 2015 and 90 vehicles and 10 bikes in 2016.

ACLC is working efficiently and recovery rate of vehicles by Islamabad police is higher than any other district, he stated.

In the news conference, senior officials of the Islamabad police, notable citizen, and owners of vehicles were also present. Staff Reporter