In a shocking daylight robbery in Punjab, five-armed men dressed in Nihang attire allegedly held a jeweller’s family hostage and fled with valuables worth around ₹3.5 crore in Gurdaspur district. The daring crime took place in a posh residential area, raising serious concerns about law and order in the region.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining possible leads to identify and arrest the culprits involved in the high-value heist.
Robbery in a Posh Residential Colony
The incident occurred at a house in Improvement Trust Colony No. 5 located on Jail Road in Gurdaspur, which is considered one of the safest residential localities in the town. According to reports, the residence belongs to a family that owns “Manohar Saraf”, one of the oldest jewellery businesses in the city.
The robbers reportedly arrived at the house around 8 am and remained inside for nearly 90 minutes before escaping. The residence is located just about 200 yards from the official residence of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), making the crime even more alarming for local residents.
Authorities say the suspects carefully planned the robbery and ensured that nearby CCTV cameras were disabled before entering the property.
How the Robbers Entered the House
The suspects reportedly tricked the family’s driver, who was washing a vehicle outside the house at the time. One of the robbers told him they wished to meet the owner briefly to discuss a religious matter. Trusting them, the driver allowed them to enter the house.
Once inside, the situation quickly escalated. The attackers, whose faces were covered with cloth, pulled out firearms and tied the driver with a nylon rope. They then entered the house and began threatening other family members.
The jeweller, his wife and their children were also tied up as the robbers searched the house for valuables.
Family Held Hostage at Gunpoint
According to the victims, the robbers were armed with rifles and pistols and demanded the keys to cupboards and lockers containing gold jewellery, silver ornaments and cash. The frightened family eventually handed over the keys to avoid harm.
Reports suggest the robbers also threatened the children to force the family to cooperate. After gaining access to the lockers, they collected gold, silver and approximately ₹40 lakh in cash.
The total value of the stolen items is estimated to be around ₹3.5 crore.
Robbers Escape After 90 Minutes
After gathering the valuables, the robbers fled the house on two-wheelers. Before leaving, they ensured that any evidence that could help investigators, including CCTV recordings, was removed or disabled.
Police officials reached the spot shortly after receiving information about the robbery and began questioning the victims and witnesses.
Senior police officials said investigators have obtained a few leads and are analyzing CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the suspects.
Political Reactions and Security Concerns
The daring robbery quickly drew attention from political leaders and local representatives, who visited the victim’s house after the incident. Several leaders raised concerns about the state’s law-and-order situation.
Opposition leaders criticized the government over the security lapse, pointing out that such a major robbery occurred in a supposedly secure area close to senior police officials’ residence.
Police Investigation Underway
Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to identify the suspects. Officers are examining CCTV footage from surrounding areas and questioning possible witnesses.
Authorities have assured the public that the culprits will be arrested soon and that additional measures may be taken to strengthen security in residential areas and protect business families.
The incident has sparked fear among local residents and traders, particularly jewellers, who often keep large amounts of valuable items at home.
