Night domination drive: Stolen car impounded, illegal liquor, pistol, gambling cash seized: Panchkula police

Police said the operation saw action when the Rider-6 team chased down two car thieves, who had stolen an Alto. After receiving information about the car theft, all units were alerted. A police team then spotted the car near Sector 6, but the suspects attempted to flee. Following a chase, both were apprehended near Government Hospital in Sector 6, and the stolen car was impounded. The duo was taken to the Sector 1 police post for questioning, and a stolen case was later registered at the Sector 7 police station.

Police said that they were investigating whether the duo had a past criminal record.

In another major development, police said, detective staff arrested 24-year-old Anwar, alias Annu, a resident of Masjid Wala, near New DLF road in Raka Bhagwanpur. A country-made pistol was seized from his possession, leading to the registration of a case under the Arms Act at the Pinjore police station. Anwar was produced in court and sent to a one-day police remand for further interrogation about the source of the weapon and his possible involvement in other offences, police said.

Panchkula police said that they also seized a total of 32 boxes of illegal liquor during the operation. At Jaloli Toll Plaza, a car attempted to speed through the checkpoint, but was chased by Constable Krishan Kumar and Home Guard Kisan. The driver fled, abandoning the vehicle, which was found loaded with 30 boxes of illicit liquor, police said.

In a separate seizure, the Sector 19 Crime Branch caught Balkaur Singh of Indira Colony with two boxes of illegal liquor during a routine night patrolling, police said, adding that cases have been registered in both incidents, and investigations are underway to trace the supply chain.

Meanwhile, Panchkula traffic police launched an intensive drunk-driving crackdown, issuing 65 challans and impounding eight vehicles. The drive also led to two arrests in gambling cases.

A Marranwala police post team apprehended Shahit Ali from Verma Colony near the Baddi border, and recovered Rs 2,350 and gambling material. Similarly, Rajesh Kumar was arrested near a school on Nalagarh road in Pinjore with Rs 1,720 in cash and gambling tools, police said, adding that both were booked under the Gambling Act.

Police said the night domination drives would continue to maintain a strict vigil to deter crime and ensure public safety in the district.