The Kashmir Pulse

SHOPIAN — An attempted robbery at an automated teller machine (ATM) in southern Kashmir's Shopian district was thwarted, resulting in the failure of the miscreants' bid to loot the ATM.

The criminals, whose identities remain undisclosed, were forced to leave the scene empty-handed after failing to breach the shutter protecting the cash machine.

According to reports from a local news agency, unidentified burglars made an unsuccessful attempt to steal cash from the Jammu and Kashmir bank branch in Pinjoora, Shopian. Their efforts were in vain as the cash remained securely stored behind a broken lock and shattered glass.

Assuring the public of the ATM's safety and integrity, bank authorities confirmed that the machine sustained no damage during the thwarted robbery.

In response to the incident, local law enforcement has initiated an investigation.

PULWAMA — In a significant breakthrough, the police in Pulwama successfully solved an ATM theft case by apprehending three accused individuals involved in the crime. The residents of Bangladesh were taken into custody, and the stolen property was recovered from their possession.

The incident took place on April 8, 2023, when unidentified burglars stole an ATM machine near Govt. Degree College Pulwama. In response, the Pulwama Police registered a case (FIR No. 78/2023) under relevant sections of the law at PS Pulwama, initiating a thorough investigation.

Acknowledging the severity of the crime, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the supervision of SSP Pulwama, headed by Addl.SP Pulwama, to expedite the investigation. Through meticulous examination of digital data evidence and careful scrutiny of circumstantial clues, the police team successfully identified a group of international thieves from Bangladesh, who had previously committed similar crimes. Subsequently, the suspects were apprehended.

The three accused, including the alleged mastermind, have been identified as Suman Mal, son of Jainal, a resident of Rajapur Police Station Raainda Bangladesh; Farooq Ahmad Ali, son of Ahmad Ali, a resident of Razwair Police station Rainda, Bangladesh; and Mohd Ibrahim, son of Mohd Muslim, a resident of Bangla Bazar Police Station Sharun Khola Bangladesh.

During the investigation, the accused individuals confessed to their involvement in the crime. Based on their disclosures, the stolen ATM machine was recovered from an orchard, where it had been concealed in a pit at Dogam Kakapora.

Further inquiry into the case unveiled that the gang of burglars had committed similar ATM thefts in other locations in previous years. It was also revealed that the gang had commenced its operations in South Kashmir earlier this year, with an ATM theft reported in Pampore.

The investigation into the case is ongoing, and authorities anticipate more arrests in connection with the incident.

The general public has applauded the efforts of the police in cracking this mysterious case. The unwavering actions of the police serve as a reassurance to community members that the authorities are determined to take strict action against individuals involved in any form of criminal activities.

SRINAGAR — Unidentified persons stole an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of J&K Bank on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday and decamped with cash in Panzan Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

A police officer told news agency KDC that unidentified persons entered into J&K Bank ATM, located at Panzan in Budgam and looted cash along with the ATM machine. "It was not immediately clear as to how much cash was in the ATM," he said.

The machine was found in a broken condition at the GunjBagh area, adjacent to the village.

"Efforts are on to identify the robbers," the officer said, adding that the ATM guard’s statement will be recorded and CCTV footage will also be analyzed following which the investigation will get a direction.

"A case under the relevant section of law has been registered in Police Station Chadoora, and further investigation is on," the officer added.