Ludhiana: The Ludhiana Commissionerate Police achieved a major breakthrough today. The police have busted a high-tech, inter-district ATM-breaking gang that had become synonymous with terror across various districts of Punjab. The police have arrested two key operatives of the gang, seizing a large cache of weapons and modern cutting tools from their possession.
The accused have been identified as Jasminder Singh alias ‘Jass’ and Deepak Kumar alias ‘Deepu Bihari’ (both residents of Amritsar). During a press conference, Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma (IPS) revealed that this gang would conduct reconnaissance during the day and under the cover of darkness at night and use gas cutters to slice open the cash vaults of ATMs and loot them within a matter of minutes.
Elaborating on the case, CP Swapan Sharma stated that on the intervening night of May 19 and 20, the gang targeted an ATM located near Shivpuri Chowk on Noorwala Road in Ludhiana. While the accused were using a gas cutter to cut open the ATM machine, a sudden electrical short-circuit occurred, causing the machine to catch fire.
Upon seeing the flames flare up, the accused panicked and attempted to flee the scene. At that moment, a patrolling PCR team (PCR Tango-6) attempted to intercept them; however, fearing capture, the accused opened fire directly at the police party. The police managed to save themselves, following which an FIR was registered against the accused at the Basti Jodhewal Police Station and an investigation was initiated.
Accused Nabbed in Police Trap Based on Technical Inputs
Taking this audacious crime with utmost seriousness, the police constituted special teams under the supervision of Additional CP Rupinder Singh, DCP Harpal Singh, and ADCP Amandeep Singh Brar.
On May 25, utilizing high-tech surveillance, the police first arrested the accused, Jasminder Singh alias ‘Jass’. The Ertiga car (registration number PB-01-D-0707) used in the commission of the crime was recovered from his possession. Police Raid a Hideout in Amritsar
On June 2, acting on information obtained during the interrogation of ‘Jass,’ the police raided a hideout in Amritsar and apprehended the prime accused Deepak Kumar, alias ‘Deepu Bihari’ who had previously opened fire on police personnel. A .32 bore pistol, used in the commission of the crime, along with two live cartridges, were recovered from his possession.
List of Recoveries: Accused Operated with High-Tech Tools
The police have recovered the complete kit used for bank robberies from the accused. The recovered items include: 1 Pistol (.32 bore) and 2 cartridges; 1 Industrial gas cutter set and gas cylinder; 1 Portable cutting machine; and 1 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga car (used as a getaway vehicle).
Crime File: One is a First-Time Offender; the Other, a History-Sheeter with 21 Cases
Deepak Kumar, alias ‘Deepu Bihari’ (Resident: Guru Nanakpura, Sultanwind, Amritsar), is the gang’s main shooter and a seasoned criminal. Between 2007 and 2022, 21 serious criminal cases were registered against him across Amritsar and Bathinda. These charges include murder (Section 302), attempted murder (Section 307), robbery, and violations under the Arms Act and the NDPS Act. Jasiminder Singh, alias ‘Jass’ (Resident: New Kotmit Singh, Tarn Taran Road, Amritsar), had no prior criminal record; however, upon joining this gang, he took charge of reconnaissance and logistics operations.
Sensational Breakthrough in 5 Major Criminal Cases
During interrogation, the accused confessed that, in collaboration with six other criminals from Amritsar, they had targeted and looted several ATMs across Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala (Phagwara). The police have successfully linked the accused to five major criminal cases registered under the ‘Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’ (BNS). These include Jalandhar Cantt (FIR No. 58 – May 2025) an ATM theft case; and Rama Mandi, Jalandhar (FIR No. 210 – July 2025) a major ATM burglary incident. Sadar Phagwara, Kapurthala (FIR 141 – December 2025): Cash was stolen from an ATM using a gas cutter. Basti Jodhewal, Ludhiana (FIR 179 – December 2025): A previous crime committed in Ludhiana. Basti Jodhewal, Ludhiana (FIR 88 – May 2026): The latest incident, in which shots were fired at the police.
4 Accused Still at Large; Raid Continues
The Police Commissioner stated that a total of six individuals were involved in this gang. Two key accused have been apprehended, while their four accomplices remain at large. The police are presenting the arrested accused in court to obtain their remand, with the aim of ascertaining where the stolen money was invested and scrutinizing their bank accounts. Continuous raids are being conducted across various districts to effect the arrest of the absconding accused.