LEH, OCT 17: In a major breakthrough against organised thefts targeting monasteries and religious heritage sites across Ladakh, Ladakh Police have apprehended four members of an alleged inter-territorial gang, recovered stolen property worth approximately ₹9 lakh and linked the accused to multiple theft cases registered in different parts of the Union Territory. A fifth accused remains absconding.
The breakthrough came during the investigation into a theft reported at Village Igoo during the intervening night of September 3 and 4, 2026. Police identified five alleged members of the gang, of whom four have been arrested following coordinated investigative efforts and operations in Kashmir and Kathua.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd Manzoor Bakerwal, son of Qasim Din Bakerwal, a resident of Kachir, Kathua; Meser Khan, son of Abdul Azim, a resident of Seri Kalian; Mohd Hanief, son of Abdul Gani, a resident of Ramkot, Kathua; and Mohd Haroon Famda, son of Abdul Famda, a resident of Verinag, Anantnag. The fifth accused, identified only as Farid in the police statement, is absconding.
According to Ladakh Police, the investigation into the Igoo theft led to the recovery of property valued at around ₹9 lakh and uncovered the alleged involvement of the accused in a wider series of thefts targeting monasteries, locally known as Gompas, across Ladakh. The accused were traced and apprehended in Kashmir and Kathua before being brought to Ladakh for further investigation.
Investigators have established alleged links between the gang and several theft cases registered in different police station jurisdictions. These include FIR Number 153/2026 under Sections 305(a) and 331(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), concerning a theft at Umla Gompa in July 2026, and FIR Number 159/2024 relating to a theft at Au-Yu Monastery.
Police have also identified the alleged involvement of the accused in five cases that had earlier been disposed of as untraced after completion of investigation and submission of final reports before the competent court. Ladakh Police have requested the court to permit the reopening of these cases for further investigation in light of the fresh evidence.
The cases are FIR Number 91/2025 concerning Sakti Gompa, FIR Number 87/2025 relating to Taru Gompa, FIR Number 231/2024 concerning Kharnakling Gompa at Choglamsar, FIR Number 156/2024 relating to Khaipuk Gompa at Sakti and FIR Number 170/2024 concerning Matho Gompa. The cases were registered under relevant provisions of the BNS.
The investigation has further revealed alleged links to thefts at Thukjey Gonpa and Samad under Police Station Nyoma; Saspol and Biama monasteries under Police Station Khaltsi; and Bodhkharboo monasteries under Police Station Wakha. Investigators have also uncovered alleged thefts at monasteries in the Nang and Gya Miru areas that had not previously been reported to the police.
According to the police investigation, the gang allegedly travelled from Kashmir to Ladakh in a vehicle bearing registration number JK03M0921, ostensibly carrying vegetables for sale.
After reaching a village, the accused allegedly sold vegetables while observing nearby monasteries and their surroundings to identify potential targets. Late at night, all five would reportedly travel towards the selected site in the same vehicle.
Police said that approximately two kilometres before reaching the target, four members would get out of the vehicle and approach the monastery on foot, using riverbeds, streams, nallahs and adjoining fields to avoid attracting attention and reduce the likelihood of the vehicle being identified.
Once at the monastery, two members allegedly kept watch outside while the other two used an iron rod to break the entrance lock and enter the premises to steal valuables and other articles. After the theft, the four would reportedly return along the same route and contact the fifth member, who had remained with the vehicle. The group would then leave the area and return to Kashmir.
The investigation has also indicated that the gang primarily targeted silver articles. Police have recovered some of the stolen property, including articles suspected to have been taken from monasteries, while verification is underway to establish the identity, ownership and connection of the recovered items with individual theft cases.
Investigators have found that the stolen articles were allegedly sold to certain goldsmiths based in Kashmir, whose names have surfaced during the investigation. Police are pursuing further leads to determine their possible involvement, establish the disposal chain and recover the remaining stolen property.
The investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged network, verify the recovered articles against individual complaints and identify any additional persons connected with the thefts.
In view of the reported incidents, Ladakh Police have urged residents and members of local communities to remain vigilant, particularly around monasteries, villages and other religious heritage sites. The public has been advised to promptly report suspicious persons, unfamiliar movements or unusual activities to the nearest police station or through emergency helpline 112.
The case highlights the importance of community cooperation in protecting Ladakh’s religious and cultural heritage. With four arrests, a substantial recovery and several alleged interlinked thefts under investigation, police efforts are now focused on tracing the absconding accused, recovering the remaining property and establishing the role of all persons suspected of involvement.
