Srinagar, Feb 05: Jammu Police on Wednesday said that eleven persons, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with the daylight murder of Sumit Jandyal, a prominent gang leader of the Gataru gang.
Jandyal was killed due to an ongoing rivalry with another gang and the main conspirator, who is believed to have orchestrated the murder from abroad, has been identified, and efforts are underway to bring him back to face charges.
Addressing a press conference, Jammu Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Joginder Singh said that Jandyal was shot multiple times while traveling in an SUV near Jewel Chowk on January 21. The attackers fled the scene on a scooter they had stolen. Jandyal was rushed to GMC Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The police arrested several individuals, including shooters, conspirators, and those who helped the criminals evade capture. The arrests followed an extensive investigation that involved intelligence gathering, technical analysis, and review of CCTV footage. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the case.
The officer said an investigation revealed that Jandyal’s murder was the result of a long-standing feud with gangster Vikas Slathia from Mandi Gharota, Samba. The rivalry intensified after Slathia’s gang killed one of Jandyal’s associates, Akshay Kumar, in 2023. Following this, there was an exchange of gunfire between the two gangs and the police at GMC Hospital in Kathua, resulting in the deaths of two persons. To avenge a killing in that shootout, Slathia allegedly ordered Jandyal’s murder.
Harsh Singh, also known as Banta, was tasked with organising shooters for the attack. A small room was rented in Shastri Nagar to plan the murder. Weapons were brought in from outside Jammu and Kashmir, and an Alto car was bought just a week before the crime for reconnaissance. The car and the scooter used in the murder were later recovered from different locations, the senior officer said.
So far, eleven individuals have been arrested, with authorities actively working to apprehend the remaining suspects. The police are also investigating financial transactions connected to the murder. SSP Singh emphasised that the Jammu Police are committed to eradicating criminal activities, particularly gangsterism, and issued a stern warning to criminals that they will face strict action.
