Meghalaya Police Crack Inter-State ATM Theft Network, 6 held
Meghalaya Police arrested six members of an inter-state gang linked to three ATM robberies in East Khasi Hills district.
SHILLONG- Meghalaya Police have busted an inter-state gang involved in a series of ATM robberies in East Khasi Hills district, arresting six individuals linked to thefts worth nearly ₹1 crore.
Addressing a press briefing, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the gang carried out the robberies with a high level of precision, completing the operations in around seven minutes using gas cutters to break open ATM machines.
Police said the gang targeted three ATM booths in the district between May 2025 and February 2026. The first incident occurred on May 21, 2025 at Mawkriah, where ₹28.13 lakh was stolen. Another ATM in Smit was robbed of ₹35.57 lakh on December 30, 2025, while around ₹35 lakh was stolen from an ATM in Mylliem on February 8, 2026.
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The investigation involved coordination across multiple states including Meghalaya, Haryana and Assam. Acting on leads, a special police team travelled to Nuh district in Haryana, where two alleged kingpins — Salim (36) and Rahul (31) — were arrested with assistance from the Haryana Crime Investigation Agency.
Police also arrested local facilitators in Shillong, including John Fishal Lyngkhoi and Joyous Dura, along with another suspect from Assam.
Authorities said several incriminating materials were recovered from the accused, who are also suspected to be involved in similar ATM theft cases in other states.
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During the operation in Haryana, a mob allegedly attacked the Meghalaya Police team while they were escorting a suspect after court production. Police said warning shots were fired in self-defence to disperse the crowd, and a case has been registered by local authorities.
Officials described the arrests as a major breakthrough in tackling organised crime targeting financial infrastructure in the region, adding that further investigation is underway to identify additional accomplices.
