Seven Notorious Criminals Nabbed in Samba; Police Foil Major Crime Plot, Recover Weapons
JAMMU, April 19: In a significant breakthrough, Jammu and Kashmir Police apprehended seven suspected hardcore criminals in Samba district on Saturday, successfully thwarting what is believed to have been a planned heinous crime. Acting on timely intelligence and vigilant patrolling, police intercepted the group near the AIIMS site in Vijaypur and recovered a cache of dangerous weapons from their possession.
According to a police spokesperson, the criminals were traveling in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) when they were stopped by a police team during a routine check. Their suspicious behavior prompted a thorough search, leading to the seizure of four sharp-edged weapons and the impounding of the SUV.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Yaqoob Ali alias “Yuka”, Ismail alias “Bachu”, and Mohd Iqbal—all residents of Samba; Mohd Sain, Murad Ali, and Mohd Irfan from Jammu; and Gazanfer hailing from Doda district. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the group was part of a well-organized criminal syndicate with a history of serious offenses.
“These individuals were believed to be on the verge of executing a major crime,” the spokesperson said. “Their movement in a group, armed with weapons, and presence near a critical infrastructure location like AIIMS raised serious red flags. Their timely arrest has averted a possible violent incident.”
Police further confirmed that multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) stand registered against the accused in various police stations across Samba and other adjoining districts. The nature of these cases ranges from assault and extortion to unlawful assembly and possession of weapons, highlighting their involvement in repeated unlawful activities.
Senior police officials have lauded the swift action of the patrol team, emphasizing that the arrest is a major step towards dismantling criminal networks operating in the region. Security has been tightened in the area, and further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the gang’s activities and possible links to other criminal elements.
