Delhi-J&K Police nab 3 robbery suspects in Kathua joint operation
Synopsis
Delhi and J&K Police lured three robbery suspects fleeing the capital into a carefully staged trap in Kathua — deliberately pulling back visible deployment to make them believe the coast was clear. The accused rammed a police vehicle trying to escape, but were nabbed. Officials say the J&K corridor has long served as a refuge for inter-state criminal gangs.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police and J&K Police jointly arrested Sahil, Anshul, and Himanshu from Kathua district on 8 May 2025 .
The trio was accused of multiple robbery cases registered at North Dwarka police station , Delhi.
Police used a deliberate tactical withdrawal at Lakhanpur naka to lure the suspects into the open.
The accused allegedly rammed a Delhi Police vehicle during the interception attempt.
No weapon or suspicious material was recovered from the accused or their vehicle.
Further investigation, including offences related to the escape attempt and vehicle damage, will be handled by Delhi Police .
Delhi Police and Jammu and Kashmir Police jointly arrested three men accused of multiple robbery cases in the national capital, nabbing them from Kathua district in a coordinated operation on Thursday, 8 May 2025. The suspects had fled Delhi after allegedly committing the crimes and taken shelter in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a police statement.
How the Operation Unfolded
After receiving intelligence about the movement of the accused, police intensified special naka checking at toll plazas and strategic locations, circulating vehicle details among Lakhanpur and Kathua police units. Officials said the trio had crossed the Nasri area on the Jammu-Kashmir highway around 4:30 am on Wednesday but managed to evade police presence, reportedly after receiving information about heavy deployment at Lakhanpur.
To counter this, Kathua police devised a deliberate tactical move — they reduced visible deployment at the Lakhanpur naka and toll plaza, creating the impression that police attention had shifted to another ongoing murder investigation. Believing the route to be clear, the accused reportedly moved towards Kathua on Thursday evening, walking into the waiting police trap.
Arrest and Resistance
Police teams intercepted the suspects in a coordinated operation on Thursday evening. The accused attempted to flee and allegedly rammed their vehicle into a Delhi Police vehicle during the operation. Officers secured alternate escape routes, including the Bhagthali route, and successfully apprehended all three individuals.
The arrested individuals were identified as Sahil, Anshul, and Himanshu. An FIR had been registered against them at North Dwarka police station in Delhi in connection with multiple robbery cases in the capital.
What Was Recovered
Officials said thorough joint searches of the accused and their vehicle were conducted, but no weapon or suspicious material was recovered from their possession. Further investigation into the robbery cases, along with additional offences related to the escape attempt and damage to a police vehicle, will be carried out by Delhi Police.
A Recurring Pattern
Officials noted that this is not an isolated phenomenon — organised gangs of robbers and thieves have, in the past, carried out crimes in neighbouring states and retreated to Jammu and Kashmir to evade arrest, and vice versa. Police described the operation as a major success achieved through close inter-agency coordination. The case is likely to prompt a review of cross-border criminal movement along the Jammu-Kashmir highway corridor.
Point of View
Suggesting that real-time intelligence sharing between Delhi Police and J&K Police remains episodic rather than institutionalised. The tactical deception at Lakhanpur worked this time, but the fact that the accused were tipped off about the initial deployment raises questions about information security within the operation itself. A formal cross-border fugitive tracking protocol, rather than ad hoc joint operations, would be the logical next step.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three persons arrested in the Kathua joint operation?
The three arrested individuals were identified as Sahil, Anshul, and Himanshu. They were accused of committing multiple robbery cases in Delhi, with an FIR registered against them at North Dwarka police station.
How did police trap the robbery suspects in Kathua?
Kathua police deliberately reduced visible deployment at the Lakhanpur naka and toll plaza to give the impression that police attention had shifted elsewhere. Believing the route was clear, the suspects moved towards Kathua on Thursday evening and were intercepted by waiting police teams.
Did the suspects resist arrest?
Yes, the accused attempted to flee and allegedly rammed their vehicle into a Delhi Police vehicle during the operation. Police secured alternate escape routes, including the Bhagthali route, and successfully apprehended all three.
Were any weapons recovered from the accused?
No weapons or suspicious materials were recovered from the accused or their vehicle following thorough joint searches conducted by Delhi Police and local Kathua police.
What happens next in the case?
Delhi Police will carry out further investigation into the original robbery cases, as well as additional offences related to the escape attempt and damage caused to a police vehicle during the operation.
