Six Arrested After Buffalo and Calves Stolen from Locked Mohali Cattle Shed

It was a quiet evening in the suburb of Jawahar Nagar, Mohali, when the tranquility was broken by an unusual alarm. A farmer, Mr. Baldev Singh, discovered that his prized buffalo and two young calves were missing from a shed that, according to him, had been locked tight for weeks.

“I had just closed the gate after feeding the animals,” Singh recounted, his voice tinged with disbelief. “The next morning, the lock was forced, and the animals were gone. I could hardly believe my eyes.”

The police arrived swiftly after the farmer filed a complaint, and a preliminary investigation revealed that the lock on the shed had been tampered with using a bolt cutter. CCTV footage from a nearby shop captured a group of six men, all wearing dark hooded jackets, entering the premises around midnight.

Detective Anurag Sharma, who leads the case, said the operation appeared to be pre‑planned. “The thieves knew exactly when the shed would be least monitored. They broke the lock, took the buffalo and the calves, and vanished within minutes,” he explained.

Following the review of the footage, the police set up a sting operation, tracking the suspects to a suburban market where the stolen animals were being displayed for sale. In a swift raid, officers arrested all six individuals, ranging in age from early twenties to late thirties.

The accused have been booked under Sections 379 (theft), 380 (theft of valuable property), and 382 (theft after preparation) of the Indian Penal Code. Their bail applications are yet to be decided, and the case is slated to go before the Mohali Sessions Court next week.

Animal rights groups have expressed concern over the incident, highlighting the rising trend of livestock theft in Punjab. “These animals are not just property; they are living beings. We urge the authorities to strengthen security measures for farmers,” said Meena Kaur, a spokesperson for the Punjab Animal Welfare Society.

Meanwhile, the farmer is left grappling with the loss of his valuable buffalo, which was a major source of milk and income. “It’s not just about money. That buffalo was part of my family for years,” Singh lamented.

Police officials have urged other livestock owners to review the security of their sheds, install better lighting, and consider video surveillance. They also appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the recovery of the missing animals.

As the investigation unfolds, the community watches closely, hoping that the stolen buffalo and calves will be found and that justice will be served.