KATHUA — Police in Kathua have solved four theft cases registered at Police Stations Kathua, Billawar and Hiranagar, arresting 10 accused persons and recovering stolen property worth approximately ₹17.50 lakh, officials said on Thursday.
The recoveries include around 113 grams of gold jewellery, 52 grams of silver jewellery and an Activa scooty, police said.
In the first case, a theft was reported at Police Station Kathua on September 1, following an incident at the residence of Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Thanoon, on August 31. The stolen items included ₹17,000 in cash, gold ornaments and an Activa scooty bearing registration number JK08M-8678.
Police registered FIR No. 429/2026 under Sections 331(3) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the investigation, police arrested Mahboob Akhtar, a resident of Dodla, Basohli, presently residing at Teli Basti, Bari Brahmana, Jammu. On his disclosure, police recovered gold ornaments weighing 36.65 grams, valued at around ₹5 lakh, along with the stolen scooty.
Police said the accused has a criminal history, with 13 cases already challaned and four other cases under investigation.
In the second case, a complaint was lodged by Urmila Devi, a resident of Patyari, Kathua, on May 8, reporting the theft of gold and silver ornaments from her residence. A case was registered under FIR No. 232/2026 at Police Station Kathua.
During the investigation, police arrested four accused persons identified as Kaniya Kumar, a resident of Janiyal, Punjab; Imran alias Billa, a resident of Udhampur; Sushil Kumar, a resident of Chak, Kathua; and Vishal Luthra, a jeweller operating a shop at Sheedi Chowk, Kathua.
On their disclosure, police recovered gold ornaments weighing 40 grams and silver jewellery weighing 52 grams, collectively valued at approximately ₹6 lakh.
In the third case, Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Dharamkot, Billawar, reported on September 8 that gold jewellery kept in an almirah at his residence had been stolen between August 31 and September 2, while the family was attending a relative’s function.
Police registered FIR No. 189/2026 under Sections 331(4) and 305 BNS at Police Station Billawar. During the investigation, police arrested Yashpal, a resident of Maira Bhadrali, Sujanpur, Pathankot, and recovered gold articles weighing approximately 10.93 grams, valued at around ₹2.20 lakh. Further investigation is underway.
In the fourth case, Safu, a resident of Kattal Brahmana, Hiranagar, reported a theft on August 27, following which FIR No. 93/2026 was registered at Police Station Hiranagar under Sections 123 and 305 BNS.
During the investigation, police arrested four accused persons identified as Ghulam Ahmed Shah, a resident of Birwa Kareri, Budgam; Aijaz Ahmed Shah, a resident of Wahadat Pora, Baramulla; Riyaz Ahmed Shah, a resident of Takia Wagoora, Baramulla; and Anayat Ullah Lone, a resident of Loran Jangipora, Anantnag.
On their disclosure, police recovered gold ornaments weighing approximately 2.22 tolas, valued at around ₹4.30 lakh.
Police said the coordinated investigations led to the arrest of 10 accused persons and the recovery of stolen property worth approximately ₹17.50 lakh in all four cases. — (KIMS)