Lucknow: In a joint operation by the Lucknow Police Commissionerate East Zone and the Crime Team, two alleged chain snatchers were arrested following a late-night encounter in the Ghaziabad police station limits. The main accused sustained a bullet injury in retaliatory firing, police said.
According to officials, a case was registered at Ghaziabad Police Station on February 19, 2026, after a woman was allegedly robbed of her gold chain in the Indira Nagar area. Taking the incident seriously, police teams were formed to trace the accused.
On the night of February 21/22, during routine checking at Sarvodaya Nagar Bandha Road in the Ghaziabad area, police attempted to stop two suspects riding a scooter based on a tip-off. The accused allegedly opened fire at the police team, prompting retaliatory action. In the exchange, the main accused, identified as Mohammad Ranu, was shot in the leg, while his accomplice, Rizwan, was apprehended on the spot. The injured accused was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Police recovered two country-made .315 bore pistols, live cartridges, two pieces of the stolen gold chain, and the scooter used in the crime.
During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to conducting surveillance on passersby and specifically targeting lone women to snatch chains and jewellery before dividing the stolen items between themselves.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of law, and further legal proceedings are underway. Police are also verifying the criminal history of the arrested individuals.
