Ahmedabad: A daring attempt to loot an angadia firm in Narol was foiled after the owner confronted two armed men who allegedly barged into his office and pointed a country-made firearm at him on Thursday evening. The angadia owner managed to disarm the men, one of whom was 70 years old, and grabbed the accused’s hands. Meanwhile, people from nearby offices rushed over and helped overpower the duo.The incident occurred around 6pm near Narol BRTS bus stop. According to police, the accused had targeted the firm after conducting reconnaissance of angadia offices along Narol-Naroda Road.Isanpur police said the owner, 38-year-old Ankit Gajjar, was alone in his cabin when the two accused entered the premises. The duo allegedly pointed a country-made firearm at him, demanding Rs 11 lakh in cash that they already knew was kept in a drawer. They also allegedly threatened to kill him if he resisted.Instead of handing over the cash, Gajjar confronted the accused and grabbed the hands holding the weapon. A scuffle followed, during which the trader and the accused sustained minor injuries. Gajjar raised an alarm, prompting employees and others from nearby offices to rush to his aid. The two men were overpowered and detained until police arrived.Police arrested Alimahmad Sheikh, 70, and Rajan Shah, 35, both originally from Bihar and currently residing in Isanpur.During a search, police recovered three country-made firearms, 19 live cartridges, around 200g of gunpowder and 10 knives from the residence of the accused. Police said the weapons had allegedly been procured from their native place through an associate.During questioning, Shah allegedly told police that he had suffered financial difficulties after plans to work in Dubai failed. He told police that his place near Chandola lake was also demolished. He then, allegedly, contacted his associates and planned the robbery.Police said the accused had been staying in Isanpur for around 15 days and had been conducting reconnaissance of several angadia firms on Narol-Naroda Road. They allegedly selected the targeted firm after noticing that fewer people were usually present in the office at that particular time.Police registered an FIR under relevant provisions of BNS and the Arms Act. They are also investigating the role of a suspected associate, Pritam, who is yet to be arrested.
