Two Interstate Thieves Arrested After Azamgarh Encounter
Azamgarh police arrested two wanted thieves, Dilshad and Sonu Ali, following a late-night encounter. The duo faced bounties and multiple criminal cases.
In a high-stakes midnight confrontation, the Azamgarh police successfully apprehended two notorious interstate thieves following an intense encounter in the Tahbarpur police station jurisdiction. The operation, which took place during the early hours of September 29, resulted in the arrest of suspects who were both carrying bounties of ₹25,000.
The encounter unfolded around 3:15 AM near Kariyabar village. Acting on a specific tip-off regarding suspicious movement on a service lane, Tahbarpur police officers moved to surround the area. The suspects immediately opened fire on the police team, prompting a retaliatory response. During the exchange, both criminals sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and were subsequently taken to the Tahbarpur Community Health Center for medical attention.
Criminal Profiles and Recoveries
The arrested individuals have been identified as Dilshad, a resident of Bareilly's Fatehganj East area, and Sonu Ali (alias Asgar), hailing from Shahjahanpur's Jaitipur area. Both men carry significant criminal histories:
- Dilshad: Wanted in connection with 13 different criminal cases.
- Sonu Ali: Wanted in connection with 7 criminal cases.
Following the arrest, law enforcement officials recovered a cache of weapons and valuables, including two .315 bore pistols, two empty shells, three live cartridges, and ₹15,250 in cash.
Modus Operandi: The Highway Gang's Strategy
During interrogation, the suspects detailed a sophisticated method used by their gang to execute burglaries across several districts. The gang would use SUVs to park along highways and expressways, allowing them to scout nearby villages for potential targets. Once a target was identified, they would infiltrate homes through rooftops or rear entrances.
Using specialized tools to bypass security, the gang would cut through locks on doors, cupboards, and boxes to steal gold, silver jewelry, and large sums of cash. After the heist, the members would rendezvous at a pre-arranged spot to be picked up by an SUV driver, ensuring a quick getaway.
Widespread Crime Network Uncovered
The gang's reach extended far beyond Azamgarh. The suspects confessed to carrying out thefts in several regions, including:
- Ghazipur
- Ballia
- Jaunpur
- Ambedkar Nagar
The police have stated that this arrest, along with the subsequent recovery of stolen goods, has helped solve multiple cases in Aharoula, Tahbarpur, Bilariyaganj, and the Jaitpur area of Ambedkar Nagar. This crackdown follows a previous major operation on August 20, where four other gang members were arrested after encounters with Aharoula and Tahbarpur police. To date, a total of six members of this criminal syndicate have been brought into police custody.