Jammu, Feb 5 : Jammu Police have arrested 11 individuals, including two juveniles, in connection with the daylight murder of Sumit Jandyal, the Gataru gang kingpin, who was killed on January 21. The murder, linked to a gang rivalry, took place near Jewel Chowk when several rounds were fired at Jandyal while he was inside an SUV. The attackers fled the scene on a snatched scooter. Despite being rushed to GMC Hospital, Jandyal was declared dead on arrival.
The investigation, led by Jammu Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Joginder Singh, revealed that the crime was orchestrated by a main conspirator from outside India, who is still at large. Police are working to have him deported. The arrests made so far include shooters, conspirators, co-accused, and individuals who helped harbor the criminals.
Using human and technical intelligence, along with CCTV footage, police identified the assailants. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed and conducted raids in Jammu, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, rounding up around 30 suspects. The police traced the motive to an old rivalry between Jandyal and gangster Vikas Slathia of Mandi Gharota in Samba, which escalated after the 2023 murder of a Gataru gang member, Akshay Kumar, by Slathia’s group.
Following the murder of Akshay Kumar, an exchange of fire occurred between the two gangs and police in Kathua, resulting in the deaths of Probationary Sub-Inspector Deepak Sharma and criminal Vasudev Kumar. In retaliation, Slathia allegedly planned Jandyal’s murder.
Harsh Singh alias Banta was tasked with organizing shooters for the assassination, and a one-room accommodation was rented in Shastri Nagar for the planning. The police recovered the car and scooter used in the crime from locations in Jammu and Samba.
The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to arrest the remaining accused and probe the financial transactions tied to the crime. SSP Singh emphasized the Jammu Police’s commitment to eradicating crime and warned criminals that they will be dealt with firmly.
