In a dramatic pre-dawn operation that reads like a scene from an action thriller, Delhi Police's Special Cell eliminated four hardened criminals of the notorious Pathak gang in Rohini's Aman Vihar area on Tuesday. The encounter marks a significant victory for law enforcement against organized crime in the national capital.
The Fatal Confrontation
According to police officials, the confrontation began around 5:30 AM when a police team attempted to intercept a suspicious Wagon R vehicle near the Aman Vihar flyover. Instead of surrendering, the gang members opened fire on the police team, triggering an intense exchange of bullets that lasted several minutes.
"The criminals showed no intention of surrendering and immediately resorted to heavy firing," stated a senior police officer involved in the operation. "Our team was forced to retaliate in self-defense."
Identifying the Fallen Gangsters
The four deceased have been identified as:
- Vikas Pathak (25) - The gang's leader and mastermind
- Pradeep Rana (28) - Known weapons specialist
- Rohit Rathee (26) - Experienced in highway robberies
- Vishal Bhardwaj (24) - The gang's youngest member
All four were wanted in multiple states including Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for serious crimes ranging from armed robbery to attempted murder.
Weapons Cache Recovered
The police recovery from the scene paints a picture of a well-armed criminal syndicate:
- Four sophisticated pistols
- Over two dozen live cartridges
- Stolen mobile phones and SIM cards
- Multiple fake identity documents
- A stolen Wagon R vehicle used in their crimes
A Gang with Violent History
Investigations reveal that the Pathak gang specialized in targeting commuters on highways, particularly focusing on the Delhi-Haryana border areas. Their modus operandi involved:
- Identifying wealthy-looking travelers at petrol pumps and restaurants
- Following their vehicles to isolated stretches of highway
- Forcing them to stop at gunpoint
- Looting cash, jewelry, and electronic devices
"This gang was responsible for at least two dozen major highway robberies in the past six months alone," revealed a crime branch official.
Police's Strategic Operation
The successful operation was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance. Police had been monitoring the gang's movements after multiple complaints from victims of highway robberies. Technical surveillance and human intelligence finally led them to the gang's hideout in outer Delhi.
Forensic teams and crime scene investigators have cordoned off the area for detailed examination. The bodies have been sent for postmortem, and a magisterial inquiry into the encounter has been initiated as per standard procedure.
This encounter represents a significant blow to organized crime in the National Capital Region and brings relief to daily commuters who had been living in fear of highway robberies.
