Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A police raid in Sanjaynagar turned into a battlefield on Saturday evening as drug peddlers, backed by local women, unleashed chaos on the NDPS team. Officers were drenched in water spiked with red chili powder, bombarded with slippers, and pelted with objects in a desperate bid to derail the operation. The ambush was allegedly planned to obstruct the police operation and help the main accused escape.
Acting on a tip-off about drug sales in the area, PI Geeta Bagwade directed PSI Amol Mhaske to set up a trap at 5 pm. The team caught Shaikh Mohammad Kaif (22) red-handed with narcotic pills. During questioning, he revealed that Shaikh Abrar (24, Galli No. 10 in Sanjaynagar) was involved in selling drugs. Without delay, PI led a raid on Abrar’s residence.
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Attack unfolds
As soon as the police reached the location, Abrar brandished a sword and swung it in Mhaske’s direction before locking the house gate. Around 10-15 women gathered, shouting, abusing, and obstructing the officers. Some children began recording the commotion on their mobile phones. With only six male officers present, the police momentarily stepped back to reassess the situation.
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Police ambushed
PI Bagwade alerted CP Pravin Pawar, who immediately dispatched additional forces, including the Crime Branch and DB squad. As officers attempted to enter Abrar’s house, they were suddenly doused with chili-mixed water. The burning sensation forced them to halt momentarily. The attackers also hurled slippers, shoes, and even a weighing scale at the police. Despite the resistance, the police regained control and entered the house, where they seized 210 narcotic pills, a hookah, nylon kite strings, and more containers of chili-mixed water. Meanwhile, Abrar’s family helped him escape via the rooftop.
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Case filed against accused
By late night, the police had begun registering a case against Mohammad Kaif, Abrar and the attackers including Misba Shaikh (19), Asma Shaikh(35), Abrar’s wife Nazia Shaikh (23), Praveena Shaikh (38), Saima Shaikh (22) and a 17-year-old girl.
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Family tied to drug trade
Investigations revealed that Abrar’s entire family was involved in drug trafficking, spreading fear in the locality. However, it was shocking that the Jinsi Police Station had no prior intelligence on their activities.
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Second attack on NDPS squad in 6 months
This marked the second violent attack on the NDPS squad in six months. On September 13, Dnyaneshwar Yadav (29, Jaybhavaninagar) had led a similar assault, using women as a shield to obstruct police action. Authorities are now intensifying their crackdown on drug networks in the region, vowing strict action against those who target law enforcement.