In a dramatic late-night operation, the Sonbhadra police successfully apprehended three wanted criminals following an armed encounter near Churk railway station on Thursday night. The miscreants, linked to a significant theft case, opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire where two of the accused sustained bullet injuries.
The Tip-Off and Police Operation
City Officer Randheer Mishra stated that the Special Operations Group (SOG) in-charge received crucial intelligence. The information revealed that the criminals involved in a ₹10 lakh theft and snatching incident from Robertsganj on December 26 were hiding near Churk railway station. Acting swiftly on this tip, the police formed three dedicated teams under the leadership of the Robertsganj Station Officer.
When these teams moved in and cordoned off the area around the railway station, the situation escalated rapidly. The cornered criminals, in a bid to escape, initiated gunfire towards the police party. Demonstrating restraint and tactical discipline, the police officers returned fire while seeking appropriate cover.
Exchange of Fire and Arrests
In the ensuing shootout, two of the miscreants were shot in the leg. They were identified as Subramaniyam Vanket Swami and Bala Murgan. Their associate, Ramu, was captured at the spot without injury. All three arrested individuals were subsequently revealed to be residents of Tamil Nadu.
The injured accused were immediately provided medical attention and sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. During the initial interrogation, the arrested men confessed to being part of a gang that frequently moved across regions, specifically targeting vehicles to commit thefts.
Recovery and Financial Trail
A significant breakthrough in the case came with the recovery of ₹1.35 lakh in cash from Ramu. Furthermore, during questioning, Ramu disclosed that the gang had already deposited a sum of ₹8.45 lakh into their State Bank account. This money is believed to be the majority of the proceeds from the December 26 Robertsganj theft.
This operation highlights the proactive efforts of the Sonbhadra police in tracking down interstate criminals. The successful encounter and arrest have not only solved a high-value theft case but also potentially disrupted a network of mobile thieves operating in the region. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further connections and possibly recover the remaining stolen amount.
