Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 16: In a significant breakthrough, the Goa Police and Delhi Police Crime Branch have arrested six members of a Bangladesh-origin dacoity gang during a coordinated operation following a controlled exchange of fire near Sarai Kale Khan.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, joint teams laid a trap to intercept the suspects, who allegedly opened fire on police personnel. The officers responded with controlled retaliation before successfully apprehending six accused, while two others managed to flee.

Police recovered four country-made pistols, live ammunition, and house-breaking tools from the arrested individuals.

The accused have been identified as Suman Hauldhar alias Pannu, Saifful Islam, Sohail Sheikh, Md. Nasir, Noor Islam alias Nadim Khan, and Zakir. All are believed to be nationals of Bangladesh.

According to investigators, the gang had illegally entered India through an organised cross-border network and carried out a series of dacoities across multiple states, including Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

Officials said the group followed a “hit-and-run-hide” strategy, targeting isolated and affluent homes, often focusing on elderly residents to loot gold and cash. The gang reportedly relied on local facilitators for logistics and target identification, while human traffickers assisted in cross-border movement.

To avoid detection, the accused allegedly refrained from using mobile phones and maintained strict operational secrecy. Investigators further believe the gang has been active for several years, executing coordinated strikes before escaping back across the border.

Several members are also wanted in other states, with non-bailable warrants already issued in connection with cases in Delhi. Police said efforts are ongoing to trace the two absconding suspects, and the investigation is continuing.