Varanasi: In a swift operation, Chandauli cops have dismantled a gang of highway looters who had been targeting truck drivers by impersonating women along highways. Acting on intelligence inputs, four members of the gang were apprehended during an early Monday morning encounter, while one of the accused sustained a gunshot wound to the leg in the exchange of fire.According to Chandauli circle officer (Sadar) Devendra Kumar, police teams from Chandauli Police Station and the Special Operations Group (SOG) moved into action after being alerted about the presence of highway robbers in the Bhagwan Talab area, where they swiftly cordoned off the locality.Upon being intercepted, the miscreants reportedly opened fire on the police team. In the ensuing retaliatory action, one of the accused, identified as Upendra Yadav from Mohaniya in Bihar, was injured in the leg and subsequently taken into custody along with his associates.After nabbing him, the cops combed the area when Manjay Kumar, Bahadur Thathera and Mustafa of Saiyadraja in Chandauli were also arrested, said the CO.A firearm and cartridges were seized from the accused.During interrogation, the accused reportedly revealed that they operated as a coordinated gang, targeting commuters and vehicle drivers on highways and in secluded stretches by disguising themselves as women or by seeking assistance under the pretext of asking for directions. Once a vehicle was halted, they would allegedly overpower the driver and loot cash, mobile phones, and other valuables.They further confessed to having targeted Gyanendra Tiwari on May 17 near Bhagwanpur Canal, from whom they allegedly looted Rs 42,000 in cash. The proceeds of the robberies were shared among gang members, and they frequently changed locations to avoid detection and evade arrest.
