In a significant crackdown, police have arrested a three-member inter-state gang responsible for targeting cash machines across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The arrests followed an attempted theft at an SBI ATM in Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh, on October 18, 2025. Police received a tip-off in the early hours about the break-in near the New Market petrol pump. Officers found the ATM booth filled with smoke and fire, which was brought under control by the Aalo Fire Station. Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze started while the gang tried to cut open the ATM using a metal cutter. Similar ATM thefts were reported earlier in Roing and Pasighat.
A case (No. 59/25) has been registered at Aalo Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with Sub-Inspector Nending Kojing leading the investigation. Alerts were issued to police stations across Basar, Likhabali, Daporijo, Raga, and Ziro, anticipating the gang’s movement along National Highway routes.
On December 18, police intercepted a vehicle at Daporijo (DL-8CAW-7611) carrying an LPG cylinder, oxygen cylinder, gas cutter, and other tools used for house-breaking. Two men, Shahrukh Khan (32) and Saddam alias Saddam Khan (38), originally from Uttar Pradesh but residing in Jonai, Assam, were detained. A third gang member, Mohd Hasim (33) of Mewat, Haryana, fled but was arrested the next day at the Likhabali check gate.
Investigators revealed that Shahrukh Khan and Mohd Hasim met while serving time in Guwahati jail for previous ATM-related cases. After their release, they formed the gang, scouting ATM locations in Arunachal Pradesh. Hasim and associates from Haryana and Rajasthan were called for specific jobs, after which the gang dispersed to their home states, splitting the loot.
All three accused have now been formally arrested. Police investigations are ongoing to trace additional members of the gang and prevent further ATM heists.
