In a major breakthrough, Ganderbal Police have solved two livestock theft cases within days, recovering stolen property worth lakhs and arresting three accused persons involved in the crime.
Police said that on September 8 and 11, separate complaints were lodged at Police Stations Kheerbawani and Kangan. Jalal-ud-Din, son of Abdul Salam of Kokagund Sehpora, and Wahid Ahmad (a Bakerwal), son of Haji Noorani of Chadrakote, presently at Hayan Kangan, reported that during the intervening nights of September 3–4 and 5–6, unknown thieves trespassed into their cowsheds and stole 37 sheep.
Accordingly, FIR Nos. 31 and 63 of 2025 were registered, and investigation was taken up. Acting promptly under the directions of SSP Ganderbal, Khalil Ahmad Poswal (JKPS), special police teams were constituted under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Ganderbal and SDPO Kangan, led by SHO Kheerbawani Gulzar Ahmad and SHO Kangan Lateef Ahmad.
During the investigation, SHO Kheerbawani’s team apprehended one suspect, Shabir Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Qadir Bhat, resident of Arigoripora Kangan. On questioning, he disclosed that he had purchased six stolen sheep from Momin Bashir Ganie alias Sahil of Gundi Mohalla Sehpora, along with Basit Bashir and Hilal alias Huzaib of Pehlipora Safapora. On this disclosure, six stolen sheep were recovered, and Shabir Ahmad was arrested.
Further, Momin Bashir was also apprehended, and a vehicle bearing registration number JK04D-0256 was seized. Separately, a police party of PS Kangan apprehended another accused, Ghulam Nabi Dar, son of Mohammad Akbar Dar of Ruhama Pulwama, from whose possession 15 stolen sheep were recovered.
In total, three accused have been arrested in connection with the two cases, and 21 stolen sheep have been recovered so far. Police said more arrests and recoveries are expected.
The swift action by Ganderbal Police has been widely appreciated by locals, who hailed the force for solving the theft cases in record time. The police have appealed to the general public to continue extending cooperation and sharing timely inputs about anti-social elements to ensure a crime-free Ganderbal.