Wanted Ghaziabad criminal nabbed in R-Day security net
Stepped up security arrangements ahead of Republic Day celebration led to the Ghaziabad police nabbing a wanted criminal following a late night gun battle and a high speed car chase near the Ghaziabad police lines.
Stepped up security arrangements ahead of Republic Day celebration led to the Ghaziabad police nabbing a wanted criminal following a late night gun battle and a high speed car chase near the Ghaziabad police lines.
According to police sources, two men in an i10 car hit a barrier near police lines and sped towards the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) area on Govind Puram Road as there were security checks on NH24, NH58 and Hapur Road.
“A team of Kavi Nagar crime branch was alerted after the security barrier was broken. The car was chased for over a kilometer after it sped towards the PAC area. Seeing the police PCR and vans in chase, the duo fired nearly 7-8 rounds of fire and police retaliated with 6-7 rounds,” said Ashok Shishodia, Kavi Nagar station house officer.
Sources said police managed to catch one of the men, identified as Ankit Dixit, after the car was roadblocked near Gaur Homes high rises, close to PAC area. Police also seized a 9mm and .315 calibre weapon from Dixit while the other accused managed escape in the dark.
A wanted criminal from Tulsi Niketan in Ghaziabad, Dixit carries a reward of Rs 25,000 from the Delhi police.
Allegedly a member of the Chotu Pahadi gang, he is believed to have been involved in a robbery of Rs 1.08 crore outside a Ghaziabad bank in June, 2015. The gang’s involvement in the heist came to light after Pahadi was arrested by Delhi police. The Ghaziabad police later identified Pahadi, Deshraj, Rahul and Dixit as the masterminds behind the robbery.
Police sources said that Dixit hails from Tulsi Niketan in Ghaziabad and member of Chotu Pahadi gang who performed the bank heist.
“Pahadi was remanded in police custody January and nearly Rs 5 lakh from the robbery was recovered. (Further) Rs 3 and Rs 2 lakh were recovered on instance of Rahul and Deshraj, respectively. All the three accused are presently lodged at Tihar Jail in Delhi,” a police officer said.
