Srinagar, Jun 15 (KNS): The district police chief Dr Haseeb Mughal on Saturday said that the curbing burglary and other crimes are also among the top priorities of the police, saying that the district police has busted a gang of burglars who have stolen the property worth lakhs.
Addressing media persons here at Police Station Safa Kadal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr Haseeb Mughal who as accompanied by Superintendent of Police (North) Sajjad Ahmad and other police officers said that Srinagar Police has been successful in busting and apprehending a gang of burglars, who were involved in a series of burglaries and attempts to burglary within the district.
The modus-operandi of the gang was to race the big godowns/ware houses and shops in the district and strike in the dead of the night and decamp with valuables especially cigarettes, he said, adding that the gang would take the help of special implements like bolt-cutters, etc to break open the locks and get access to the godowns without creating much noise.
“The gang was technically updated and used to take CCTVs and electronic surveillance equipment along with them and dispose it off so as to destroy any sort of video footage/evidence. The police started seriously working on the leads after a godown at Baghinand Singh was burgled and goods (Cigarettes) worth lakhs of rupees were looted,” he said.
He added that in this connection a case under FIR number 76/2019 under section 457, 380 RPC was registered in Police Station Safakadal and investigation taken up.
On the directions of SSP Srinagar Dr. M. Haseeb Mughal and SP City North Sajad Ahmad Shah, a special investigation team was constituted headed by SDPO M.R. Gunj Feroz Qadri assisted by SHO Police Station Safakadal Adil Rashid, Incharge Police Post Baghiyas Shanawaz Ahmed and incharge Police Post Noorbagh Sheikh Ajaz Ahmad.
Working on the leads after strenuous efforts and utilizing both technical and Scientific aids, the team zeroed in on few suspects. “Special team succeeded in identifying the suspects and their arrest was effected in one go, so that chances of escape and destruction of stolen property is avoided,” he said.
After thorough questioning of the suspects, the team finally succeeded in making break-through and was able to nab a group of organized notorious burglars from various parts of city and its adjoining districts including Mohammad Yaseen Hajam, son of Ghulam Mustafa, resident of Trikolbal Pattan, Muzaffar Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar, resident of Hanjiwera Pattan, Altaf Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, resident of Khumani Chowk Bemina, Irfan Ahmad Nagar, son of Ghulam Nabi, resident of Saida Kadal and Serwar Hussain Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, resident of Labartal Budgam.
SP north Sajjad told media persons that Muhammad Yaseen Hajjam was leading the group who was the mastermind of all such burglary activities.
Stolen property worth several lakhs has been recovered on the disclosure of the arrested accused so far and vehicles used in the commission of crimes have also been seized. The arrested accused have disclosed their involvement in various other thefts and burglaries within the district, he said.
The recoveries as per the police so far include Copper utensils of different make, Electric/ Electronic appliances, Cigarettes of different brands worth several lakhs while as the seized vehicles so far include Scorpio DL43CNB 5501, Santro JKOIR 2266, Honda City DL7CF 8139 and Maruti DL3CAD 8969.
The investigation of the case is going on and more arrests and recoveries are expected, he said.
Meanwhile, all the vehicles seized are Delhi based, which seems that somebody from the outside have also links with the gangs, which is being investigated and will come to the conclusion soon. (KNS)