In a striking display of precision and audacity, an interstate criminal gang executed a series of ATM thefts in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, looting nearly ₹1 crore in cash across three incidents between May 2025 and February 2026. What made these robberies particularly alarming was the gang’s extraordinary efficiency—they reportedly completed each break-in, vault breach, and cash extraction in less than seven minutes, a feat described by police as “military-precision timing” and unprecedented in the state’s criminal history.
The first theft occurred on May 21, 2025, at an ATM booth in Mawkriah village, where the perpetrators made off with ₹28.13 lakh. The second incident took place on December 30, 2025, at an ATM in Smit village, yielding ₹35.57 lakh. The third and final heist happened on February 8, 2026, at Mylliem, with approximately ₹35 lakh stolen. In each case, the gang forcibly entered the ATM enclosure, used tools such as gas cutters to slice open the machine’s strong vault, and fled swiftly to evade detection.
The operation pointed to a highly organized network involving members from multiple states. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem highlighted that this level of sophistication—rapid execution to minimize risk and exposure—was a first for Meghalaya, marking a shift from traditional crimes to more professional, tech-savvy burglary tactics.
Following intensive investigations by a Special Cell team, Meghalaya Police cracked the case through coordinated operations across states. On March 10, 2026, two alleged kingpins—Salim (26) from Dorakhi village and Rahul (31) from Wahedpur in Nuh district, Haryana—were arrested in Nuh with assistance from local Haryana police. The arrests were not without drama; during one escort, officers faced a crowd attempting to intervene, leading to a brief escalation where police fired in the air.
Subsequent arrests included two suspects from Assam—Rejaul Korim (38) and Lius Ali (28)—along with two local facilitators from Shillong: John Fishal Lyngkhoi (32) from Umpling and Joyous Dura (47) from Mawlai Nongkwar. Notably, the local arrests involved individuals with past affiliations—one a former member of the banned Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the other an ex-policeman from the Special Operations Team (SOT).
Police seized incriminating evidence during raids and reconstructed crime scenes, including at the Mylliem location. The gang has been largely dismantled, though authorities continue probing for any remaining absconding members.
This case underscores the evolving nature of ATM-related crimes in India, where physical break-ins executed with remarkable speed have replaced simpler methods like card skimming. The swift police response across state lines demonstrates effective inter-agency collaboration in tackling such sophisticated interstate networks. As investigations wrap up, the bust serves as a reminder of both the ingenuity of modern criminals and the determination required to bring them to justice.
About The Author
