Guards held hostage during factory robbery bid

Mohali: A group of nearly 12 miscreants attempted to rob a factory at Bhagwanpur Industrial Area on Barwala Road in Derabassi on Thursday night, holding security guards hostage and injuring a member of a private patrolling team before escaping with a motorcycle and mobile phones.The incident took place around 12:30am at a factory unit manufacturing CP fittings. Sources said the accused, who were armed with sharp-edged weapons, allegedly entered the premises by climbing a tree. Thereafter, they held security guard Sher Singh and helper Deepak Sahu hostage at gunpoint and snatched the factory keys, allowing other accomplices waiting outside to enter through the main gate.Aman Kumar and Lakhwinder, members of the Industries Association's private night patrolling team, noticed the factory gate open at an unusual hour and came to check. The miscreants allegedly attacked them, injuring Aman Kumar. Then they locked them inside a room. Before escaping, the suspects took away the new motorcycle of the patrol team and two mobile phones which belonged to the victims.Station House Officer (SHO), inspector Sumit Mor said a case of attempted robbery and theft was registered against the unidentified persons and an investigation was initiated. He added that police teams were examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused and trace their movements.According to preliminary information, the accused covered their faces and were reportedly barefoot during the incident. Their Bolero jeep, without a number plate, was allegedly parked in nearby fields.The victims also claimed that the suspects threatened them with a pistol and fired shots during the robbery attempt. However, police officials said no empty cartridges or other evidence of firing was found at the spot. Whether the weapon used was real or fake will be confirmed during the investigation.This is the fourth such incident reported from the Bhagwanpur Industrial Area in recent months. Thefts worth lakhs were reported in the area on Oct 13 and Jan 20, raising concerns among industrialists about security in the industrial belt. MSID:: 129159201 413 |