Five arrested as Jammu Police step up crackdown on Gang violence

Those arrested included the main accused in the murder of Gataro gang leader Sumit Jandiyal

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Jammu Police have arrested five individuals, including the main accused, in connection with the murder of 37-year-old Sumit Jandiyal, also known as Gataru, the leader of the Gataro gang. 

Jandiyal was shot dead by three members of a rival group at Jewel Chowk on 21 January, despite tight security around MA Stadium ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

The murder has heightened concerns over rising gang violence, extortion rackets and land mafias in the Jammu-Samba-Kathua region. 

In response, police have intensified their crackdown on criminal syndicates. Their urgency was reinforced by another incident on January 31, when criminal Paramjit Singh, known as Jungi, was injured in a police shootout in Kotli Mian Fateh. His accomplice, Arjun Kumar, alias Billa, a wanted criminal from Akhnoor with five FIRs against him, was arrested at the scene.

Following Jandiyal’s murder, police launched a manhunt, leading to the arrest of the main accused, Harsh, along with his accomplices Arun, Ajay, and supporters Abihay and Raj, in Delhi. 

The trio had been moving between locations and was planning to flee to Nepal when they were caught near ISBT, New Delhi, on Sunday. They have since been handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

According to police reports, on January 21, three men intercepted Jandiyal’s SUV and fired four shots at him at Jewel Chowk. He was critically injured and declared dead at Government Medical College Hospital. The attackers fled the scene, hijacking a two-wheeler at gunpoint.

Amid growing gang activity, a high-level meeting led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shiv Kumar Sharma was held to devise strategies. 

Police are particularly concerned about the growing nexus between land mafias and drug syndicates. 

To dismantle these networks, Sharma outlined measures, including seizing properties acquired through illegal means and taking action against anyone sheltering or financially supporting criminals.

A special campaign will also target illegal vehicle modifications. Strict action will be taken against those possessing illegal weapons or involved in land grabbing.

The police have urged civil society, parents, and community leaders to help steer young people away from crime. Investigations are ongoing, and the arrested suspects remain in police custody.

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