PULWAMA — In a series of coordinated operations, Pulwama Police have achieved significant breakthroughs across multiple fronts, arresting thieves and drug peddlers as well as seizing tippers for illegal mining.
In the first operation, Pulwama Police arrested three individuals involved in a theft case reported by Irshad Ahmad Dar, a resident of Lajoora Pulwama.
The theft, which occurred at an under-construction Sheep Building in Dangerpora Pulwama, led to the registration of FIR No. 163/2024. Following intensive questioning, the suspects—Sheraz Ahmad Bhat of Keller, Mehrooz Mushtaq and Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir of Dangerpora—confessed to the crime.
The stolen water pump was recovered, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In a separate anti-drug operation, Pulwama Police set up a checkpoint at Gangoo Pulwama, resulting in the arrest of two notorious drug peddlers.
The police intercepted a truck driven by Sukhdev Singh of Punjab, recovering 15 kg of poppy straw. Further investigation led to the arrest of Mohammad Yousuf Gadda of Gangoo, who was also found in possession of a substantial quantity of poppy straw.
FIR No. 166/2024 has been registered, and police anticipate further arrests as part of their intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in the area.
Pulwama Police seized two tippers over illicit extraction of materials
Adding to these successful operations, Pulwama Police continued their ongoing drive against illegal mining, seizing two tippers used in the illicit extraction of materials.
The vehicles, bearing registration numbers JK01R-9135 and JK05C-5844, were seized by the Police Post Rahmoo, though the drivers managed to flee the scene. FIR No. 66/2024 has been registered, and efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits.
Meanwhile, the police have urged the people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
PULWAMA — Mohammad Yaqoob Bhat, an orchard owner in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district, expressed dismay on Wednesday as thieves ravaged his high-density apple orchard in a daring overnight raid.
Situated in Pirpora area of Arihal village, Bhat reported that approximately 30 to 35 high-density apple trees, planted two years ago and already yielding produce, were forcibly uprooted with shovels during the dark hours between Monday and Tuesday.
The financial blow is severe for Bhat and his family, who invested heavily in the orchard using proceeds from his wife's jewellery. He estimated the loss to exceed one lakh rupees, undermining their hopes for a better quality of life.
Expressing suspicion, Bhat suggested the involvement of local drug addicts, citing the audacity required for such a brazen act under the cover of night.
In a plea for assistance, Bhat called upon district authorities and law enforcement to take swift action, urging the police to apprehend the perpetrators and seek justice for the theft.
The incident resonates beyond Bhat's personal loss, signalling a broader concern in southern Kashmir, where many farmers have transitioned to high-density apple cultivation.
Following the introduction of high-density plantations in 2015-2016, the region has witnessed a shift away from traditional apple varieties to more modern cultivars from around the world.
PULWAMA — In a significant triumph against the surge in theft incidents in the region, officers from Police Station Pulwama successfully apprehended two individuals linked to separate theft cases.
The first case, reported on January 30, 2024, by Abdul Majeed and Ghulam Rasool Dar, involved thieves infiltrating an apple orchard under the cover of night and stealing various items. Upon receiving this information, the police registered a case vide FIR No. 19/2024 under relevant sections of the law and investigations were initiated.
Throughout the investigation, continuous efforts were made to trace the unknown thief. Today, on January 31, 2024, the Pulwama Police successfully apprehended Arif Hussain Dar, residing in Chakoora Arigam, in connection with the aforementioned case. Stolen articles were also recovered from the apprehended individual.
Simultaneously, in a parallel operation, Bashir Ahmad Sheikh from Ladermad Awantipora was apprehended, leading to the recovery of stolen items related to case FIR No. 334/2023 under IPC sections 457 and 380. The recovered items included six Samowars and 14 copper plates.
The efforts of Pulwama Police in swiftly solving these cases have been lauded by community members.
Meanwhile, the public has been encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to foster a collaborative effort for a secure environment.
PULWAMA — Police authorities have initiated an investigation following a reported theft of copper utensils worth lakhs of rupees from a shop in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
According to reports, burglars targeted a copper utensil shop located in Ratnipora village during the intervening night between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The shop owner, Zubair Ahmed Ahangar, disclosed that thieves made away with utensils valued at over Rs 3 lakh. The stolen items include eight Samovars (copper containers traditionally used to make tea) along with other assorted utensils, with the burglars also taking more than 60 Tramis (large copper plates).
Ahmed Ahangar reported the incident to the police, prompting them to take cognizance of the situation and initiate an official case.
PULWAMA — Pulwama town in south Kashmir witnessed a series of burglaries overnight, as daring thieves targeted at least half a dozen shops, leaving the traders and businessmen in shock.
The reports of a local Daily indicate that the burglaries occurred in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, with thieves breaking into 5 to 6 shops and making off with a substantial amount of goods, cash, and valuable items worth lakhs of rupees.
The incident came to light when Mushtaq Ahmad, a shop owner at the renowned Chudi Market, discovered his shop shutter broken open during his early morning walk. Soon after, he learned that several other shops in the market had also fallen victim to the burglaries.
The affected shopkeepers were visibly distraught and spent the day repairing their shop shutters.
Ghulam Mohammad Bhagwan, a wholesale grocery dealer, stated, "I received a call in the morning informing me about the incident." While he is still assessing the extent of the loss, Bhagwan expressed gratitude for the swift response of the police, who visited his shop and promised prompt action.
Social media was abuzz with reports of 20 to 25 shops being looted, but SSP Pulwama, Mohammad Yousuf, clarified that the actual number of targeted shops was 5 to 6. He confirmed that the thieves attempted to break into a few other shops without success and assured the initiation of a thorough investigation.
Fayaz Ahmad Wani, President of the Chamber and Commerce Industries Kashmir (CCIK), expressed the shock felt by the trading community. "We are currently assessing the loss," he disclosed, highlighting the widespread impact of the burglaries on local businesses.
As the investigations continue, shop owners and the community at large hope for swift justice and effective measures to prevent future incidents of this nature, ensuring the safety and security of Pulwama town.
PULWAMA — Jammu & Kashmir Police busted an extortion racket in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on late Monday night.
As per the official statement, "Police Station Rajpora received a written complaint from one (name withheld for security reasons) wherein he stated that at about 1930 hours, while on way to home from his clinic, some unknown person intercepted him and threatened him with weapons and asked for money & other valuable items and fled away from the spot by taking his wallet containing Rs 3300 and mobile phone."
"Upon this report, a Case FIR No. 8/2023 under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Rajpora, and the investigation was set into motion," the statement added.
According to the police, several persons were rounded up during the course of the investigation. "One among them has been identified as Adil Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Yousuf Dar, resident of Bellow village."
Adil was interrogated professionally and revealed that he has committed the said crime using 'toy' pistols. "Upon his disclosure, the following articles were recovered: Toy Pistols (2); Wallets (3); Redmi Mobile Phone; Cash of Rs 3330; J&K Bank ATM; Aadhar Card; SBI ATM Card, Driving License; PAN Card; Election Card; Jio SIM Card belonging to the complainant and a voucher bearing number 678 of Altaf Electric Works Shopain."
"Further investigation into the matter is in progress," the police statement said, adding that the general public is requested not to fall into any such trap and to inform the concerned police station about any such incident.
ANANTNAG — Burglars looted cash and other stuff from seven shops among which six are medical stores in the Janglat Mandi area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The theft incident took place during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
Local unnamed sources quoted by the news agency KNT said that burglars have broken the shutters of six medical shops and a bakery shop. "Burglars have stolen unaccounted cash from some medical shops while cigarette packets are missing from the bakery shop," they said.
The shops include Aadil Pharmacy, Waqar Medical Store, Tafeem Medical Store, GS Medical Store, Kadoo Pharmacy, MM Medical Store, and Abdullah Bakery Shop.
Police Post Janglat Mandi has taken cognizance of the incident and registered a case under relevant sections of law.
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.
PULWAMA — Three fraudsters masquerading as ‘faith-healers’ deceived a naïve woman and looted cash and gold from her house in Tral town of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The incident occurred at Bucho village while the family lodged a report at the police station.
Family sources told the news agency KNT that three con men entered the house of one Firoz Ahmed, masquerading as ‘faith-healers’. At the time only the ailing Firoz Ahmed and his wife were present in the house.
The trio assured the woman that they will heal her ailing husband. On the instructions of the fraudsters, the woman brought the Holy Quran, gold and Rs 5,000.
The fraudsters after reading out some prayers asked the woman to shut her eyes and later on asked her to keep the Holy Quran in a safe place and open it after a few hours. They informed the woman that the gold and cash are in the Holy Quran and that when she will open it, her husband will be free from all ailments.
All the fake faith healers left the house while the woman was shocked after finding nothing in the Holy Quran.
“They (fake-faith-healers) decamped with 2 rings and two earrings of gold and cash worth Rs 5,000. We informed the police about the incident,” one of the family members said.
Such incidents in the peripheries of Tral town are not uncommon. Fake-faith healers deceive naïve people and mint money at will.
