Major loot in Ahmedabad thwarted with UP man’s arrest

Palanpur: Shamlaji police foiled a major loot in the posh western part of Ahmedabad by arresting a member of an Uttar Pradesh gang with firearms and live ammunition during a vehicle-checking drive at the Ansol check post on Dec 30.Along with three country-made pistols and 18 live cartridges, the police also found photographs of malls, hotels, banks and some commercial buildings from the phone of arrested accused Birendra Kumar Khatik. a resident of Sahibabad in Ghaziabad district.On Wednesday, the police also rounded up Khatik’s accomplice.Aravalli superintendent of police (SP) Manoharisnh Jadeja said, “Khatik and his three accomplices have several cases of loot in UP. They were planning to carry out a loot in western Ahmedabad.” Jadeja said Khatik was spotted driving suspiciously on a UP-registered bike near the check post. When cops signalled him to stop, he he attempted to flee but was nabbed at some distance. He is already wanted in two criminal cases registered at Bopal police station in Ahmedabad — one related to an armed robbery involving Rs 73.10 lakh and another involving gold chain snatching worth Rs 25,000.

The weapons and cartridges were concealed in the bike’s storage compartment.Preliminary investigation revealed photographs and videos of malls, hotels, banks and buildings in Ahmedabad were taken on different dates using multiple mobile numbers. The police have intensified vehicle checks as part of heightened security arrangements ahead of the New Year.