Pattan, Oct 10 (KNO): Police have solved seven cases in the Pattan and Kreeri subdivisions of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, recovering stolen property including copper utensils, electric poles, copper and gold jewellery, with investigations in one major theft case leading to Awantipora and Leh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Gurinder Pal Singh said on Saturday.
Addressing a press briefing at the SDPO office in Pattan, in the presence of SDPOs of Pattan and Kreeri and other police officers, SSP Singh, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) detailed the breakthroughs and credited sustained investigation, technical inputs and coordination with police units in other areas for helping solve the cases.
Among the major recoveries, police recovered copper utensils worth Rs 4,05,314 in connection with FIR No. 186/2026 registered at Police Station Pattan. The case, investigated by Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmed, involved leads that took investigators to Awantipora and Leh. The SSP said police in Leh recovered property worth Rs 75 lakh in the particular case.
The copper theft took place during the intervening night of August 5 and 6. The SSP said investigators initially had no technical evidence and relied on sustained fieldwork to identify a group allegedly involved in thefts following a similar pattern and modus operandi.
Police subsequently picked up suspects who allegedly confessed to their involvement, leading investigators to further leads in Awantipora and Leh. According to the SSP, two accused were apprehended in connection with the case, another was arrested in Leh, while one suspect remains absconding. One of the accused was allegedly involved in more than 13 cases registered at different police stations.
In another case, police recovered four stolen electric poles within 24 hours in connection with FIR No. 226/2026 registered at Police Station Pattan. The case was investigated by Assistant Sub-Inspector Ghulam Qadir.
Police also recovered Rs 5,100 in a separate theft case, FIR No. 222/2026, investigated by Head Constable Fayaz Ahmed. The case involved the theft of Rs 83,000. The accused was traced and arrested in Kulgam, where he allegedly confessed to the crime. He told investigators that he had lost the remaining Rs 78,000 while gambling in Pampore the following day, the SSP said. The accused has 15 cases registered against him at different police stations, according to police.
In a separate effort, police traced lost mobile phones through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. Police Sub-Inspector Vanisha used technical leads to trace the devices, leading to the apprehension of an accused in one case.
In the Kreeri subdivision, police reported recoveries in three separate cases over the past two months.
In FIR No. 83/2026 registered at Police Station Kreeri, police recovered 100 kilograms of stolen copper from an orchard within eight hours. In another case, FIR No. 38/2026 registered at Police Station Chandoosa, police recovered stolen copper utensils. Police also recovered stolen gold jewellery within two days in a separate theft case in Kreeri.
Emphasising the importance of public cooperation in preventing crime and maintaining peace, SSP Singh urged people to approach police with their grievances and concerns.
“We are here for the protection and welfare of the people. Whenever there are concerns, the public should come forward to us, be it the SHO, SDPO, SSP or even the DIG, for the redressal of their sufferings, issues and concerns,” he said.
The SSP said police could deliver effectively only when people extended their support and cooperation. He added that coordinated efforts between police and the public were essential for creating a peaceful environment and building a successful society.
He also appreciated the officers involved in investigating the cases and recovering stolen property.
District Police Baramulla reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order, strengthening public confidence in policing and ensuring that criminal cases are investigated professionally, impartially and in accordance with law—(KNO)