Five of a gang allegedly involved in over 20 robberies arrested

Police on Saturday claimed to have busted a gang of robbers with the arrest of five persons allegedly involved in over 20 robberies in the district.

Acting on a tip-off, Collectorganj police arrested five persons-- Salim, Nadim, Nafees, Ateek and Jafar near Malgodam area, belonging to a gang headed by Jaleel, a resident of Shuklaganj, SSP Yashasvi Yadav said.

They recovered four country-made pistols, a revolver, 14 cartridges and a country-made bomb from their possession.

Jaleel, however, is absconding and a manhunt has been launched to nab him, Yadav said.

On interrogation the gang admitted to have committed over two dozen robberies in a span of one month. A Maruti van and some stolen items have also been recovered, police said.

The gang was active in Meston Road, Collectorganj and Mc Robertganj areas. The robbers evaded suspicion of the police by taking up menial jobs in different places.