Inter-state gang behind thefts, arms supply busted in Panchkula

The police, under Operation Trackdown, busted a gang involved in a series of shop thefts and the illegal supply of firearms.

In a coordinated operation, the police arrested three members of the theft gang and three weapon suppliers, including a Rapido taxi driver and a minor. The team also recovered a Swift car used in the thefts, along with one country-made pistol, two country-made revolvers (kattas), and five live cartridges.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP, Crime) Arvind Kamboj told reporters that a theft case was registered at the Chandimandir police station following a complaint lodged on November 4 by a local shopkeeper, whose shop was broken into at night. Acting swiftly, a police team led by Incharge Dalip Singh and comprising ASI Neeraj and Constable Sahil analysed CCTV footage and, based on secret information, arrested three accused — Saleem of Rajpura, Anwar and Avinash, both residents of Shivalik Colony, Dera Bassi.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the trio had committed at least eight thefts — five in the Panchkula area and three in Dhakoli, Punjab. They have been remanded in two days’ police custody for recovery of stolen items and the car used in the crimes has already been impounded.

On November 5, the police, acting on a tip-off, arrested Suraj, a native of Uttarakhand and currently residing in Mohali. Suraj, a Rapido taxi driver, was allegedly involved in the illegal arms trade and booked in a case at the Chandimandir Police Station.

Two days later, another team arrested Ajay (26), a resident of Shanti Vihar, Mohali, from the Barwala–Dera Bassi Road, and recovered a country-made revolver and four live cartridges.

The ACP said the police remain actively engaged in cracking down on those involved in thefts, robberies, and illegal arms trade, and under Operation Trackdown, strict action will continue against such anti-social elements.