A meticulously planned police operation to capture a notorious gang, known for preying on women and stealing their gold jewellery, ended in a chaotic and failed attempt in Ludhiana on Monday. The incident unfolded at the busy Dandi Swami Chowk, where the suspects executed a desperate vehicular escape, leaving the police team helpless.
The Failed Ambush at Dandi Swami Chowk
Acting on specific intelligence about the location of the wanted gang members, a team from the Raghunath Police Post set up a trap at the traffic signal. The plan involved blocking potential escape routes with strategically parked police vehicles. The target was a white Swift car carrying two women and a man, a vehicle linked to a series of deceptive thefts targeting elderly women.
As anticipated, the Swift car stopped at the red light. Police personnel swiftly moved in to apprehend the occupants. However, the gang members immediately locked the car from the inside, thwarting the initial attempt. In a quick escalation, the police resorted to smashing one of the car's windows. This action triggered a panicked and aggressive response from the accused.
Chaotic Escape Captured on CCTV
Instead of surrendering, the driver of the Swift car slammed the vehicle into reverse, crashing into the car behind it. What followed was a scene of utter chaos as the gang members, in a bid to force their way out of the police cordon, began ramming into multiple vehicles that were stationary at the traffic signal.
The sudden assault caused pedestrians and other motorists to scramble for safety. This panic inadvertently cleared a path, allowing the white Swift to maneuver through the damaged cars and speed away from the scene. The entire dramatic episode was recorded by a CCTV camera installed near the chowk, providing clear evidence of the gang's reckless getaway.
Gang's Criminal History and Modus Operandi
ASI Ashwani Kumar, in-charge of Raghunath Police Post, confirmed that the gang is wanted in an old case. Their method is deceitfully simple yet effective. They primarily target elderly women, approaching them by posing as distant relatives or acquaintances. Sometimes, they offer lifts. Once the victim is engaged in conversation and her guard is down, they cleverly steal her gold ornaments.
This gang has been active in Ludhiana for several years. In a recent incident on December 23, they robbed 58-year-old Manjeet Kaur of Model Town Extension of her gold bangle. Their criminal activities date back to at least 2021, with police records linking them to similar thefts across the city, including a case in Aggar Nagar from April.
In the aftermath of the failed trap, Division Number 8 police stated that no formal complaints have been received from the owners of the vehicles damaged during the escape. They clarified that an FIR regarding the damage will be registered only once a victim comes forward to file a complaint.
