In a dramatic operation, the Chandigarh Police have successfully apprehended two serial snatchers who employed a unique and elaborate method to evade capture. The accused would flee into a dense jungle after committing robberies and take refuge in a makeshift hut that was guarded by over a dozen aggressive dogs.
The Elaborate Hideout and Police Operation
The case came to light following a complaint filed by Prem Pandey, a 21-year-old auto-rickshaw driver and resident of Shastri Nagar, Manimajra. According to his statement, the incident occurred on December 16, 2025. Pandey reported that around 4 pm, while he was near the railway bridge on the jungle side, two youths approached him. They snatched Rs 14,000 in cash along with his personal documents before escaping into the forested area behind the Housing Board.
Based on this complaint, an FIR was registered at the Manimajra police station on December 17, 2025. Police teams immediately launched an extensive search operation across the challenging jungle terrain. During the search, they discovered a hut concealed deep within the forest. Investigations revealed this hut was not an ordinary shelter but a regular hideout used by criminals after committing snatchings.
The Canine Security and Baba's Disguise
The area around the hut was deliberately secured with a unique defense system: more than a dozen dogs were released to guard the perimeter. This made it extremely difficult for anyone, including law enforcement, to approach the location without triggering an alarm. Police sources revealed that a man living in the hut under the guise of a ‘baba’ provided a cover, allowing criminals to shelter there without drawing suspicion from the outside world.
When the police team finally located the hideout, the dogs began barking aggressively and charged towards them. The situation forced the officers to call in the special dog control team from the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh. After a sustained effort, the canine squad managed to bring the guard dogs under control. Subsequently, the occupant was removed, and to prevent its future use by criminals, the police demolished the hut and set it on fire.
Arrest and Confession
The breakthrough in the case came through a combination of analysis of CCTV footage and local intelligence. Following these leads, the police arrested the two accused. They have been identified as Afjal, alias Salu (30), and Mohammad Sahdman, alias Sadhu, both residents of Manimajra.
During interrogation, both men confessed to their modus operandi. They admitted that after committing snatching incidents, they would immediately escape into the jungle and hide in the secured hut to avoid arrest. Following the investigation, both accused were produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody.
This operation highlights the innovative, albeit criminal, tactics employed by offenders and the determined response by Chandigarh Police to dismantle such operations and ensure public safety in the area.
