Three Gangsters Arrested After Gunfight With Police in Kathua

Jammu, Oct 8: In a swift and coordinated action, police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district arrested three notorious gangsters following a brief encounter near the Lakhanpur area on Wednesday. The dramatic chase unfolded when a police team signaled a speeding motorcycle for routine checking near the Punjab border. Instead of complying, the suspects opened fire and attempted to flee, prompting police to respond with warning shots and launch a hot pursuit.

According to officials, the gangsters, believed to have crossed into Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab, tried to evade the checkpoint but lost control of their motorcycle near the Kidian Ghadiyal bridge after crashing into a roadside electricity pole. All three suspects sustained injuries in the accident and were immediately taken into custody. They were subsequently shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kathua for medical treatment and further interrogation.

One of the arrested men, identified as Murad Ali, is a well-known criminal in the region and is wanted in connection with at least four cases registered in Kathua district. Police sources said the gang’s movement near the border indicates possible cross-border criminal activity and links with organized crime networks.

Officials also stated that the swift response of the police team prevented the suspects from escaping deeper into the Union Territory and possibly carrying out unlawful activities. The incident underscores the heightened vigilance of law enforcement agencies along the Punjab–Jammu and Kashmir border, a corridor often exploited by criminal syndicates and smuggling networks.

Police have launched a detailed investigation into the gang’s activities, their possible associates, and the motive behind their presence in the region. Security has been further tightened in and around Kathua, with additional checkpoints set up to prevent similar incidents.