5 gangsters held, planning petrol pump robbery

The Jalandhar Rural Police arrested five members of a notorious gang, planning a petrol pump robbery and linked to multiple cases of theft, robbery and snatching. The operation was carried out as part of a districtwide drive to crack down on organised crime and drug-related offences.

The accused have been identified as Jaskaran Singh, alias Jassa, of Bachhowal, Kamal of Mohalla Mathurapuri, Sanjay Kumar of Mahulla Chaudharya Gara Road, Ravinder Singh of Bakapur and Jatinder Singh of Kang Araya, all residents of Phillaur. The police recovered three stolen motorcycles, four mobile phones, three daggers and one iron rod from their possession.

Speaking to the media, SSP Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said acting swiftly on credible information, a team led by Inspector Sanjeev Kapur, SHO, Phillaur, under the supervision of DSP Sarwan Singh Ball, apprehended the accused near Nawanshahr Road during a special operation.

The accused had been actively involved in committing robberies and thefts on highways, often threatening victims with sharp-edged weapons. They targeted commuters and pedestrians, particularly women, snatching mobile phones and stealing motorcycles to support their drug addiction. Preliminary investigations have linked the gang to over 10 criminal incidents across the region.

The accused are habitual offenders with criminal records and cases are pending against them at different police stations.

The accused have been produced before the court and police remand has been secured for further interrogation to trace their network and recover additional stolen property.