Muzaffarnagar Police Encounter With Transformer Theft Suspects; One Injured, Two Arrested

Muzaffarnagar: Police have arrested three suspected members of a gang allegedly involved in transformer theft following an encounter near Pinna bypass on the Panipat-Khatima National Highway. One suspect sustained a gunshot injury, while two others were apprehended during a subsequent search operation.

The action was carried out by the City Kotwali police under Operation Langda, being conducted under the leadership of SSP Suraj Kumar Rai to crack down on criminal activities.

According to ASP Siddharth K. Mishra, the injured suspect has been identified as Shahnawaz, son of Rafiq alias Bhoora. Police records reportedly show two cases registered against him.

Who are the other two arrested suspects?

Following the encounter, police arrested two more alleged gang members, identified as Arish, son of Zinda, and Tahir, son of Yaseen.

Police said Arish had been released from jail four days before his arrest and has one case registered against him. Tahir, meanwhile, reportedly has 25 criminal cases registered against him. The police are investigating their alleged involvement in other transformer theft incidents.

Stolen transformer components and weapons recovered

ASP Siddharth K. Mishra said the police recovered an e-rickshaw, bundles of copper, a transformer coil, a country-made pistol of .315 bore, an empty cartridge case and a live cartridge from the suspects.

The recovery of copper and transformer components has prompted investigators to examine their possible links to other theft cases in the area.

Investigation underway to trace the gang's network

Police are questioning the arrested suspects to gather information about the alleged gang's network, the disposal of stolen materials and its possible involvement in other incidents.

The operation is part of the district police's ongoing drive against suspected criminals under SSP Suraj Kumar Rai's leadership.

Reported by: Rohit