In a late-night operation, the crime branch of Gurugram police apprehended two suspected cattle smugglers after a brief encounter in Nuh district, officials said on Wednesday. The suspects — identified as Mohammad Abid, a resident of Bichor village, and Mohammad Jahid from Punhana — are both in their early 20s and have been allegedly involved in multiple cases of cattle smuggling across the region.
The exchange of fire occurred between 2 am and 2:30 am on the Indana-Bichor road, a stretch known for being a smuggling route in the district. According to the police, the encounter unfolded when the Punhana crime branch teamlaunched a search operation after receiving a tip-off about Abid’s movement in the area.
The Encounter: How It Happened
The police said they had credible intelligence that Abid — who was wanted in several cases — would be travelling through Indana-Bichor road during the early hours. Acting on this information, the team set up barricades and started vehicle checks along the route.
“While the police team was on duty, they noticed two men on a motorcycle approaching from a distance. When signalled to stop, the suspects tried to take a U-turn and flee the spot,” said Krishan Kumar, public relations officer of Nuh police.
When the officers moved in to intercept them, Jahid surrendered, but Abid opened fire on the crime branch team in an attempt to escape. In the exchange, Abid was shot in the right leg and subsequently overpowered by the officers.
He was immediately taken to Nalhar Medical College and Hospital for treatment, where his condition was said to be stable. “Abid will be placed under arrest once doctors declare him medically fit,” Kumar added.
Criminal Background of the Accused
Police officials said Abid is a notorious criminal in the Nuh region, wanted in multiple cases involving cattle smuggling and other serious offences. Preliminary investigation revealed that 12 criminal cases are registered against him across various police stations in Nuh. These include charges of cattle smuggling, attempted murder, theft, loot, extortion, and possession of illegal firearms.
Jahid, on the other hand, has one previous case of assault registered against him, according to police records. Officers suspect that he was assisting Abid in his smuggling operations.
Senior police officers said Abid had been evading arrest for months and was believed to be one of the key figures in a network involved in transporting and trading cattle illegally across Haryana and neighbouring regions.
Items Seized from the Spot
During the search at the encounter site, police recovered a country-made pistol, empty cartridges, and the motorcycleused by the suspects. Investigators believe the weapon was used by Abid to open fire at the police team.
A forensic team was called in to examine the weapon and collect ballistic evidence. Police sources said the motorcycle is being verified to determine whether it was stolen or registered under a fake identity.
Official Response and Case Details
Following the encounter, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at Bichor police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — the new criminal law framework replacing the Indian Penal Code — as well as the Arms Act. The FIR includes charges of attempt to murder, obstructing a public servant in discharge of duty, and possession of illegal firearms.
Police said that both accused will be produced before a court once Abid recovers from his injury. Investigators are also probing whether the duo is linked to larger smuggling networks operating across Haryana and Rajasthan, which have been under watch for their alleged role in interstate cattle smuggling and illegal trade.
Pattern of Cattle Smuggling in Nuh
Nuh district, located in southern Haryana, has often been identified as a hotspot for cattle smuggling, with several incidents of police chases and violent encounters reported in recent years. The terrain — characterized by narrow roads, forested areas, and proximity to state borders — often helps smugglers evade capture.
The local police have been intensifying their crackdown on illegal cattle transportation, which frequently involves high-speed chases, fake vehicle number plates, and armed resistance. Officers said that such smugglers often travel in groups, use modified vehicles to transport cattle, and sometimes resort to firing at police personnel when intercepted.
In recent months, several teams under the Gurugram and Nuh crime branches have been conducting night patrols and setting up check posts at identified routes to curb the practice. The latest encounter, police said, is part of this ongoing drive.
Police Statement on the Operation
Senior officials from the Gurugram Police Department lauded the prompt action of the Punhana crime branch team, calling it a successful example of proactive policing.
“Abid was continuously on the run and had become a habitual offender. His arrest is a major breakthrough in our ongoing efforts against cattle smuggling gangs operating in the region,” a senior officer said.
Authorities further added that more raids and search operations are expected in the coming days as part of a coordinated effort to dismantle organized smuggling rackets.
Community and Administrative Response
The Nuh administration has been under pressure to strengthen law enforcement following repeated complaints of cattle thefts and smuggling. Residents from several nearby villages have raised concerns about rising criminal activity linked to smuggling networks, which not only threaten local security but also lead to communal tensions.
Police sources said community policing initiatives and awareness campaigns are being planned to encourage locals to share intelligence and report suspicious movements without fear. The administration also plans to improve night surveillance by installing cameras at vulnerable junctions and deploying drone units for aerial monitoring during high-risk hours.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The police are now focusing on tracing Abid’s associates and financial links. They suspect that he may have been working with a wider network of suppliers and buyers involved in illegal cattle trade across state borders. Investigators are scanning Abid’s call records and financial transactions to identify others involved.
The seized pistol will be sent to a forensic lab for ballistic analysis, while the motorcycle will be examined to verify ownership. Meanwhile, Jahid is likely to be interrogated further to gather more details about the routes, contacts, and methods used by the gang.
Police sources indicated that after Abid’s recovery, he will be presented before a magistrate court and likely remanded to police custody for detailed questioning.
Conclusion
The early morning encounter in Nuh marks yet another chapter in the Haryana police’s continuing battle against cattle smuggling networks that operate with increasing sophistication and mobility. While the arrest of Abid and Jahid is being seen as a significant breakthrough, officials caution that the problem runs deep and requires sustained enforcement, better intelligence coordination, and community participation to eradicate.
The case underscores the growing challenge faced by law enforcement agencies in rural belts where illegal trade, armed resistance, and repeat offenders make policing increasingly complex. With the investigation underway, authorities hope that the latest arrests will help unravel larger connections and lead to the dismantling of organized cattle smuggling rings operating across North India.
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