Mumbai Photographers Kidnapped and Robbed in Terrifying Highway Attack in Rajasthan
In a shocking incident of highway crime, two professional photographers from Mumbai were taken hostage and brutally robbed after their car ran out of petrol on National Highway-48 in Rajasthan's Dungarpur district. The attack occurred in the Bichhiwada police station area near Barothi, leaving the victims traumatized and injured.
Violent Assault with Knives and Swords
According to police reports, the attackers were armed with knives, swords, and stones. They used these weapons to threaten and injure the victims during the prolonged assault. The driver of the vehicle sustained significant injuries after being struck on the head with a stone when he attempted to resist the criminals.
The total loot included Rs 20,000 in cash, professional photography equipment including cameras, laptops, personal items like a wristwatch, and the victims' car itself. The assailants demonstrated calculated planning by bringing additional petrol to refuel the stolen vehicle before making their escape.
Chronology of the Terrifying Night
The victims have been identified as Kiran Panwar, a resident of Pune, and Amay Kumar, from Mumbai. They had traveled to Udaipur for a photography assignment at an event and were being driven to Ahmedabad airport by company driver Amarsingh Sisodia (36), a resident of Ranawada in Udaipur.
The nightmare began around 2 AM on Monday when their car unexpectedly ran out of fuel on NH-48. Sisodia parked the vehicle on the roadside and walked to a nearby petrol pump, leaving the two photographers waiting in the car.
Three masked men arrived on a motorcycle and immediately began assaulting Panwar and Kumar. When the photographers refused to hand over money, the attackers forced them out of the vehicle "like hostages" and conducted a thorough search of the car.
Escalating Violence and Multiple Attackers
The situation worsened when driver Sisodia returned to the scene during the robbery. He was immediately set upon by the assailants. When he tried to fight back, one attacker attempted to strike him with a sword, but Sisodia managed to evade the blow. Undeterred, another assailant hit him on the head with a stone, causing injury.
Police revealed that three more accomplices emerged from hiding on another motorcycle, bringing the total number of attackers to six. This reinforcement allowed them to intensify their assault on all three victims before proceeding with their planned theft.
Organized Criminal Operation
The criminals displayed surprising organization throughout the incident. After beating the victims, they produced petrol—likely brought specifically for this purpose—and refueled the car they intended to steal. They then fled the scene in both the stolen vehicle and on their motorcycles.
A police patrol team reached the location after receiving information about the attack, but the assailants had already escaped while throwing stones to hinder any pursuit. Dungarpur Deputy Superintendent of Police Tapendra Kumar confirmed that authorities are actively searching for the accused individuals.
Broader Implications for Highway Safety
This violent incident highlights growing concerns about security on India's national highways, particularly during late-night hours. The calculated nature of the attack—with masked perpetrators, multiple weapons, planned refueling, and coordinated escape—suggests these criminals may have executed similar operations previously.
Police have launched a comprehensive investigation and are pursuing all available leads to apprehend the six attackers. The victims have received medical attention for their injuries, though the psychological trauma of being held hostage at knifepoint may have longer-lasting effects.
