Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted an organised criminal gang involved in telecom equipment thefts and a daring armed robbery at a JPDCL store in Jammu, solving 2 major cases and recovering stolen property worth over Rs 1 crore.
Addressing media persons here at Police Station Gandhi Nagar, SP Jammu South, Dr Ajay Sharma said the gang was operating across different parts of the Jammu Division and was involved in stealing high-value infrastructure material for illegal resale.
He said seven individuals, including a juvenile have been arrested in connection with the cases.
According to him, one case pertains to the theft of costly telecom equipment from a BTS mobile tower at Gandhi Nagar. Click here to watch video
The theft, reported by retired DySP Bihari Lal Sharma, Supervisor Law & Order, J&K Circle, on behalf of GTL Infrastructure Limited (GIL), had taken place during the intervening period of October 6, 2025 and had disrupted telecom services in the area.
Following the complaint, Police Station Gandhi Nagar registered a case FIR number 268/2025 under section 305 BNS and began a technical and field-based investigation.
The SP Jammu South said the second case relates to an armed robbery at the JPDCL Divisional Store at Nanak Nagar during the night of December 19/20, 2025.
According to him, a group of 6-7 persons, armed with sharp-edged weapons, forcibly entered the store and looted a large quantity of electrical material meant for power infrastructure works.
The police officer said that a separate case FIR number 276/2025 under sections 309(4)/305/191(2) BNS and 4/25 Arms Act was registered at Police Station Gandhi Nagar and investigation started.
During the course of investigation, he said, police established links between the two cases and uncovered a well-organised nexus involved in theft, transportation and disposal of stolen Government and private property.
Acting on specific leads, police teams, led by PSIs Maan Singh, Nadeem Akram and ASI Pintoo Kumar worked under the close supervision of SHO PS Gandhi Nagar Jai Paul Sharma, and SDPO City South Kuljeet Singh, conducted raids at multiple locations and arrested seven accused persons, including a juvenile, he said.
They were identified as Saddam Hussain Zargar of Chinnote, Bhaderwah at present opposite Mansar Hotel, Raghunath Bazar, Jammu; Jahangir Ahmed Butt of Matholla, Bhaderwah at present opposite Mansar Hotel, Raghunath Bazar, Jammu; Sofian alias Thapa Pehalwan of Gandoh, District Doda at present Nikki Tawi, Belicharana; Shahbaz Hussain of near Government High School, Tawi Pull, Nehru Market, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, Freed Ali of Rakh Barothian, Vijaypur, Samba, Abdul Lateef alias Laefy of Majheen, Rangoora, Jammu, and a juvenile (identity withheld).
On the disclosure of the accused, the SP Jammu South, Dr Ajay Sharma said, police recovered a huge quantity of stolen material, including telecom equipment such as Base Band units, RUS units and Air Harmony units valued at around Rs 70 lakh.
Electrical material recovered included conductors, control cables, pin insulators, fittings, electric cables and 20 shattering plates.
The SP Jammu South said police also seized 2 sharp-edged weapons used in the robbery and 3 vehicles used for transporting the stolen goods.
He said the recoveries having a total value of over Rs 1 crore have dealt a major blow to organised crime involved in infrastructure theft in the region.
“Further investigation is underway to identify additional accomplices and to verify the involvement of the accused in other similar cases,” the SP Jammu South added.
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