Five accused identified in Egoo burglary; four arrested, fifth absconding as police widen probe into suspected organised gang
LEH: In a major breakthrough against a series of thefts targeting monasteries and religious places across Ladakh, Leh Police have cracked 11 additional burglary cases following the interrogation of suspects arrested in connection with a theft at Egoo village, taking the total recovery in the Egoo case to approximately ₹14 lakh.
SSP Leh Fulzele Piyush Nirakar, while briefing the media, said police had identified five accused in the Egoo burglary, of whom four have been arrested while the fifth remains absconding. The arrested accused were identified as Mohammad Manzoor, a resident of Kathua; Masir Khan, from Seri Kalyan; Mohammad Hanif, from Kathua; and Mohammad Haroon, from Anantnag, all in Jammu and Kashmir. Police teams are working to apprehend the fifth accused, identified as Farid.
According to the SSP, sustained interrogation, human intelligence and technical analysis helped investigators establish links between the accused and 11 other theft cases reported at monasteries, gompas and places of worship in different parts of Ladakh. Several of these cases had earlier remained untraced, prompting police to initiate the process of reopening them.
The breakthrough has exposed the suspected modus operandi of the group, which allegedly used the cover of selling vegetables while travelling from village to village to conduct reconnaissance of religious sites and other potential targets. Investigators believe the suspects identified valuable items kept at gompas, prayer houses and other locations before allegedly carrying out burglaries under the cover of darkness.
“The Egoo case has been completely worked out,” the SSP said, adding that an additional recovery of around ₹6 lakh had been made during the investigation, taking the total recovery in that case to approximately ₹14 lakh.
The 11 additional cases span multiple locations and years, highlighting the extent of the suspected theft network. These include the July 2026 burglary at Umlah Gompa; the June 2025 thefts at Shakti Monastery, Kharu, and Tharu Monastery; and earlier cases involving Thol Rinpoche Gompa at Kharnakling, Kheks Gompa, Matho Monastery and a gompa at Khalsi.
Police have also linked the accused to cases reported at Faspul, Tuze Gompa and Bema in Aryan Valley in July and September 2026, respectively, as well as a 2023 theft case from Bodh Kharbu in the Kargil area.
The SSP said some of these cases had previously been declared untraced. Leh Police will approach the court to reopen the relevant cases, while the Kargil Police will be informed about the Bodh Kharbu case for further action.
Police have also recovered several religious artefacts and other items believed to have been stolen from gompas. Their identification and matching with the respective religious institutions are underway to facilitate the return of the recovered property.
Investigators are examining whether the stolen religious artefacts were transported outside Ladakh and sold through a network of buyers. The SSP said preliminary information pointed towards certain jewellery dealers in Jammu and Kashmir, whose identities and locations were not disclosed as the investigation remains in progress.
Police teams are expected to pursue these leads to identify the alleged receivers and maximise recovery of the stolen property. The investigation is also examining whether the same suspected gang was responsible for multiple monastery thefts reported since 2023.
The SSP credited the investigating team, including the concerned SDPO, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rishabh and Sub-Inspector Khand Jangko, for their efforts in linking the cases through technical intelligence and interrogation.
In response to concerns over the movement of outsiders and the transportation of goods through remote areas, Leh Police have intensified night checking and community-policing measures.
The SSP said police officers had held meetings with village numberdars and local associations, urging residents to promptly inform the police about unfamiliar persons selling vegetables, clothes or other goods in villages so that their identities and activities could be verified.
Police have also strengthened checkpoints and are coordinating with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to conduct comprehensive checks of vehicles travelling towards Kashmir and Manali, particularly during night hours when the accused allegedly carried out burglaries and left the area.
Additional night-checking arrangements are being put in place at Upshi and Phyang, while personnel at other checkpoints are being strengthened. Police have also directed that details, including Aadhaar identification, of persons travelling in vehicles be recorded as part of the verification process.
Besides checking for stolen property, the intensified inspections will also cover possible narcotics smuggling along the routes.
