Panchkula, June 19
The Panchkula Police have foiled an alleged dacoity conspiracy in Kalka and arrested five armed suspects from Punjab who were reportedly planning a major robbery after fleeing a criminal case in their home state.
Police recovered an illegal foreign-made pistol, six live cartridges, iron rods, a gandasi, and a sharp-pointed weapon (sua) from the accused. A Honda City car without a registration plate, allegedly intended for use in the crime, was also seized.
According to ACP Kalka Ashish Kumar, the Kalka Police Station team, led by Station House Officer Pratap Singh, received a tip-off on June 17, 2026, that several young men armed with weapons were sitting inside a Honda City car at a secluded location near a rest house and gaushala in Kalka and were planning a robbery or dacoity in the area.
Acting on the information, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Satish Kumar reached the spot. Upon seeing the police, three of the suspects allegedly attempted to flee. However, officers swiftly surrounded the area and apprehended all five accused.
DCP Panchkula Srishti Gupta said a search of one of the accused, identified as Bablu of Malout in Punjab, led to the recovery of an illegal foreign-made pistol loaded with six live cartridges. The other arrested suspects were identified as Ritik alias Mangu, Navish Kumar alias Nanu, Deepak Kumar, and Khushdeep Singh alias Nirmal, all residents of Malout in Muktsar district, Punjab.
Police also recovered several iron rods and other deadly weapons from their possession.
During questioning, the accused allegedly disclosed that they had an old rivalry with another group in Malout. On June 13, 2026, a violent clash reportedly took place between the groups, during which Bablu allegedly opened fire in public. A case related to attempted murder and violations of the Arms Act had already been registered against them at Sadar Malout Police Station in Punjab.
Investigators said the suspects had been on the run since the incident. After running out of money, they allegedly began planning a dacoity in Kalka.
DCP Gupta said a case has been registered at Kalka Police Station under Section 310(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Arms Act, and further investigation is underway.
Police records indicate that Ritik alias Mangu is a habitual offender with several criminal cases registered against him in Punjab, including those related to drug trafficking, theft, and violent altercations.
The accused were produced before a court on Thursday. Deepak Kumar and Khushdeep Singh were remanded to judicial custody, while Bablu, Ritik and Navish were sent to four days of police remand for further interrogation.
Gupta said Panchkula Police would not allow any criminal gang to disturb peace in the district. “The alertness of our team prevented a major crime before it could take place. The source of the weapons and other suppliers linked to this network will soon be brought to justice,” she said.
