Jalandhar/ Hoshiarpur, April 10
It is perhaps the first time that such a robbery has taken place in the state during the past two decades and has many worried, especially keeping in view the polls. Some unidentified persons reportedly decamped with a cache of revolvers and ammunition from a fire arms and ammunition shop, Ajit Singh and Sons, in the wee hours today. The shop is located at Mohalla Bassi Khawaju on the Jalandhar road in the city.
An employee of a shop in the area said the incident came to light when a passersby noticed the theft at around 5.30 am and informed the owner of the shop Ravinder Dogra, who is living at Kabirpur village in Hariana town, about it. DIG, Jalandhar Range, Kuldip Singh, Deputy Commissioner NK Wadhawan and SSP Parmodh Ban, along with police force, reached the spot.
Sources said the burglars after allegedly breaking the locks of the sliding grill-gate, cut open the main shutter and entered the shop. SSP Ban said during preliminary investigations it was found that the burglars stole 78 revolvers of various bores which had recently been deposited by licence holders with the said shop.
This was done following the orders of the District Magistrate in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the SSP added. Besides, they also stole two pistols of the owner, meant for sale, and 76 live cartridges.
All stolen weapons were kept in a cupboard. DIG Kuldip Singh said it was presumed that the burglars were aware about the place where these weapons were lying. Watchman of the area Giru Parsad, who had been missing after the incident, was found lying unconscious near Adampur Doaba this afternoon. The police is questioning him about the
incident.
Meanwhile, a red alert has been sounded in the area and all police stations in the district, adjoining districts and in Himachal have been alerted to lay special nakas to nab the culprits. The DIG said it was too early to say about the involvement of any of the terrorist outfit in the crime. IG, Zonal, Sanjeev Kalra who visited the spot said security of other arms and ammunition dealers would be screened and necessary arrangements would be made for them. Senior police officials of the Jalandhar zone also rushed to the spot.
According to sources even the Union Home Ministry has taken a serious note of the incident and is in touch with the state government.
All entry and exit points to the state have been sealed and raids are being conducted at various suspected places. A team of forensic experts and dog squad was also pressed into service.
