Hailakandi: In a major crackdown on theft and burglary-related crimes, Hailakandi Police arrested 17 suspected thieves during a district-wide special operation conducted on Thursday night.

The coordinated raids were carried out by police teams from various police stations across the district as part of an ongoing drive to curb property-related offences and improve public safety.

During the operation, police recovered a number of suspected stolen items, including a Bajaj Pulsar 180 motorcycle, two water pumps, a gas cylinder, 11 mobile phones, a vehicle jack, and an electric motor. Officers also seized several tools allegedly used for house-breaking and theft, such as iron pipes, crowbars, iron rods, and daos.

The arrested persons have been identified as Ikbal Hussain Mazumder, Sahar Uddin Laskar, Altaf Hussain Laskar, Ahmed Hussain Laskar, Saharul Islam Barbhuiya, Jabed Hussain Barbhuiya, Abbas Uddin Barbhuiya, Bilal Sheikh, Riju Mia Barbhuiya, Bulbul Uddin Choudhury, Jasim Uddin Laskar, Kamrul Islam Choudhury, Sahid Ahmed Choudhury, Saddam Hussain Talukder, Nazir Uddin Mazumder, Ebadulla Barbhuiya, and Rajib Ray.

Police sources said the operation was part of a planned campaign targeting habitual offenders and criminal networks involved in theft and burglary across the district.

Further investigation is underway to identify other persons linked to the offences and to verify the ownership and source of the recovered property. Police have indicated that the special drive against theft and burglary will continue in the coming days.