In a major breakthrough , the Malerkotla Police have successfully intercepted an audacious robbery attempt at the YES Bank branch on Thandi Sadak, apprehending three individuals involved in the nefarious act.
The apprehended individuals have been identified as: Arif Khan @ Arif s/o Latif Khan, residing at #36 Rose Avenue Malerkotla; Satish Kumar s/o Mahesh Kumar, hailing from Village Khehreej, Lucknow; and Laxman s/o Rampal, residing in Dabwali.
Providing comprehensive details to media, Senior Superintendent of Police Malerkotla, Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, said that the police received critical information from Rajat Singla, the YES Bank cashier, indicating an attempted break-in by three individuals, led by the prime accused Arif Khan, during the late hours of February 1. Recognising the sensitivity of the information, a specialised team comprising Inspector Yadwinder Singh and Inspector Sahib Singh, SHO City 1 and 2, police station in conjunction with PCR and ERV teams, was expeditiously assembled under the meticulous supervision of DSP Malerkotla, Sh. Gurdev Singh, to conduct a thorough investigation.
Responding promptly to the intelligence received, the police teams executed a swift raid on the bank premises. Initial examinations uncovered severed CCTV wires and evidence of a concerted attempt to breach the cash room's security. Then the Crucial evidence was meticulously gathered from the crime scene.
Scrutinising the CCTV footage revealed Arif Khan and his accomplices attempting the robbery by tampering with cameras and endeavouring to access the cash room under the cover of night.
Arif Khan and his associates attempted to forcibly obtain keys from Mr. Singla, threatening him with a pistol as he was leaving on his motorcycle after bank hours. Khan intentionally collided with Mr. Singla's motorcycle using his Innova and then confronted him with a firearm, coercing him to grant access to the bank's cash room.
The police team have seized a .32 bore pistol, oppo mobile phone, and the vehicle ( Bolero) implicated in the criminal act.
The accused have been booked under IPC Sections 307, 458, 380, 427, 34, and Arms Act Sections 25, 27/54/59. Subsequent police investigations unveiled Arif Khan's criminal history, including prior drug-related charges.
The arrested accused will be presented before the court and will be remanded for further investigation of the case.
SSP Khakh earnestly encourages citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities around banks or financial institutions at police emergency helpline number 112.