Inter-state gang busted, 20 held with 40 mobiles, cash in J&K
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday arrested 20 members of an inter-state gang of thieves for stealing mobile phones and other valuables from pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi Shrine.
Police recovered 40 mobile phones and ₹23,800 in cash from their possession.
The members of the gang hail from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Bihar. SHO of Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, inspector Rajesh Sharma said, “On Wednesday, we received a complaint from one Parmod Verma wherein he said his belongings, including an android phone and ₹23, 800 in cash, were stolen from the bathing area at the Bhawan. We registered an FIR and initiated investigations. Following this, we laid a trap at the said area and left some valuables there. When one of the culprit tried to lift them, we caught hold of him.”
“On being questioned, he revealed that Mohd Shakeel is the kingpin of the gang. Thereafter, we raided a number of locations in the town and recovered 40 smartphones, estimated to be worth nine lakhs, and stolen cash. All the arrested persons are from outside J&K,” he said.
Speaking on the gang’s modus operandi, the SHO said, “All the 20 accused reached Katra last Friday and booked rooms in various lodges. Since then, every evening they use to leave for the main Bhawan and stole unattended items. In the morning they would all return to Katra and repeat the same in the evening. Involvement of insiders and locals cannot be ruled out. Investigation is under process and some more recoveries are expected.”