SRINAGAR: Mohali police have arrested Shaima Khan, also known as Khushi, along with five accomplices for her role in a series of violent vehicle snatchings across the region. Shaima, originally from Baramulla, Kashmir, was forced into a life of crime after enduring years of abuse and hardship, according to police. She served as bait for the gang, luring unsuspecting victims to isolated spots where they were robbed and assaulted.
Shaima, now 25, had moved to Mohali after a troubled marriage at 15. Her escape from home for marriage and later her escape from her abusive husband led her to financial struggle, initially working as a salesgirl and later at a salon. Over time, she reportedly became involved with a gang she met at a local market, drawn into their operations for survival, police on Sunday, according to separate reports carried by The Indian Express and The Hindustan Times.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nilambari Jagdale of Ropar Range briefed the media, detailing how Shaima’s gang preyed on late-night drivers. “This gang had a planned approach, using Shaima to gain the victims’ trust before swiftly executing their robbery,” said DIG Jagdale. “They deliberately caused minor accidents or used other methods to trap their targets, overpowering them with violence when needed.”
Shaima and her gang’s latest heist unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, targeting Deepak Aggarwal near the Radha Soami Dera traffic light point. CCTV footage from the scene shows the gang ambushing Aggarwal by ramming his Mahindra Thar, forcing him to stop. Shaima reportedly approached him under the pretext of assistance, while her accomplices attacked him. Aggarwal was badly beaten and left injured as the gang drove off with his vehicle.
The other arrested gang members, identified as Arshdeep Singh, Jaspal Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Vikram Singh, and Angadjot Singh, were apprehended shortly after the incident. Arshdeep has a history of criminal activity, with eight previous cases linked to theft and robbery. Police reports indicate that the gang confessed to additional robberies, including a heist on October 26 involving Baljinder Singh, a local club manager. In this case, Shaima again acted as bait, drawing Singh to an isolated area where he was robbed of his Hyundai i20 and a mobile phone at gunpoint.
The investigation has shed light on the gang’s method of operation. “The group was calculating in their approach, often using Shaima or other female accomplices to establish an initial rapport with the victim,” DIG Jagdale explained. “Their intention was to target unsuspecting individuals in isolated spots.”
So far, police have recovered a Mahindra Thar, Hyundai i20, and Swift Dzire, along with a .315 bore pistol from the suspects. Shaima’s role has highlighted the exploitation of vulnerable women in criminal networks, an issue that officials warn is growing.
