Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar Police on Saturday said that it busted a gang of thieves and apprehended five of them, who were involved in a series of burglaries and attempts to burglary within Srinagar. 

Addressing a press conference SSP Srinagar Dr Haseeb Mughal said that the modus-operandi of the gang was to racee the big godowns/warehouses and shops in the district and strike in the dead of the night and decamp with valuables especially cigarettes.

“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 alongwith 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.

“In this connection case FIR No. 76/2019 U/S 457,380 RPC was registered in Police Station Safakadal and investigation taken up.”

A police spokesperson said that on the directions of SSP Srinagar Dr Mughal and SP City North Sajad Ahmad Shah, a special investigation team was constituted, headed by SDPO MR 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, he said.

“Special team succeded in identifying the suspects and their arrest was effected in one go, so that chances of escape and destruction of stolen property is avoided.

“After thorough questioning of the suspects, the team finally succeeded in making breakthrough and were able to nab a group of organized notorious burglars from various parts of the city and its adjoining districts including Mohammad Yaseen Hajam, son of Ghulam Mustafa a resident of Trikolbal Pattan; Muzaffar Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar a resident of Hanjiwera Pattan; Altaf Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir a resident of Khumani Chowk Bemina; Irfan Ahmad Nagar son of Ghulam Nabi a resident of Saida Kadal and Serwar Hussain Bhat son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat a resident ofLabartal Budgam.

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.

Recoveries so far include Copper utensils of different make, Electronic appliances, Cigarettes of different brands worth several lakhs.

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.