
Gang Used LED-Lit Pigeons At Night To Spread Rumours Of Drone Sightings
Panic had gripped several villages across western Uttar Pradesh in recent days due to reports of drone sightings and many residents were keeping night vigil out of fear for their safety, according to police.
Two individuals, identified as Shoeb and Sakib, were arrested after the police investigated complaints from villagers about mysterious flying objects with lights in the night sky that they suspected to be drones, they said.
"During the investigation, the police recovered two pigeons, a cage, and red and green LED lights from the accused. They confessed to tying the lights to the pigeons' legs and releasing them at night so that the people assumed that they were seeing drones from a distance," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjay Kumar said.
The gang was operating in Jatwara village under Kakroli police station limits, the SSP said.
An FIR has been lodged against them under the relevant section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
SSP Kumar announced a reward of Rs 20,000 for the police team involved in cracking the case.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Today
22 minutes ago
- India Today
Jharkhand man trafficked to US via ‘donkey route' helps police bust trafficking ring
Jharkhand Police on Saturday busted an international human trafficking network accused of deceiving individuals with promises of illegal entry into the United States through the dangerous and illegal 'donkey route'. The operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals, including the alleged mastermind, after a trafficking survivor filed a formal 'donkey route' is a term used to describe an illegal method of migration that bypasses official immigration processes. It involves long, hazardous journeys through multiple countries, often arranged by unlicensed travel agents and is frequently used by those attempting to reach destinations like the US, UK or The case came to light after Sonu Kumar, a resident of Bharajo village under Tatijharia Police Station in Hazaribagh district, filed a complaint on July 30. He accused Uday Kumar Kushwaha, a villager who has reportedly been living in the United States for over four decades, of trafficking him under the guise of offering employment in to police, in 2024, Sonu was allegedly sent to Brazil using fake documents. After arrival, he was handed over to a human smuggling syndicate, along with two other victims, namely Bikash Kumar and Pintu Kumar, who were also sent via Brazil from Delhi on separate dates. The traffickers reportedly attempted to move them illegally across a series of countries: Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala, before reaching the was kept in the custody of the traffickers for 50 days. During this time, Uday Kumar Kushwaha allegedly extorted Rs 45 lakh from Sonu's family. Under pressure, his father sold ancestral property to raise the money, which was then sent to associates of Uday through various eventually reached San Diego via Mexico City but was caught by US border authorities and detained for nearly four months before being deported to India in March 2025. After his return, Sonu's attempts to recover the money were allegedly met with threats and assault by Uday and his brother. Fearing for his safety, Sonu lodged a formal complaint under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Acting on the complaint, the Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police formed a special task force led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Bishrugarh. The operation led to the arrest of five accused: Uday Kumar Kushwaha, Darshan Prasad, Lal Mohan Prasad, Chohan Prasad and Shankar the investigation, police recovered phones, documents, bank receipts and a notebook containing details of money collected and individuals trafficked. Officials also identified a list of persons who had allegedly been sent to the US via the donkey route in recent years. The police have stated that the case is part of a wider international trafficking network and further investigations are ongoing.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Jharkhand


Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
UT cyber police recover just ₹15cr of ₹95cr cheated in online frauds over 2 yrs
1 2 Chandigarh: In a span of two years, the UT cyber police registered 257 FIRs related to online frauds involving more than Rs 95 crore. Despite arresting 200 cyber fraudsters between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2025, the police managed to recover only slightly over Rs 15 crore of the cheated amount. This significant gap between the total fraud and the recovered sum underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling digital crimes. Cyber police officials and experts attribute the low recovery rate to two major factors. First, victims often delay reporting the fraud, which drastically reduces the chances of freezing unauthorised transactions. Second, fraudsters typically transfer the stolen money into multiple fake accounts, making it difficult for investigators to trace and intercept the funds before they are withdrawn. Cyber expert Gurcharan Singh emphasised the importance of timely reporting, stating, "Reporting cyber fraud as soon as possible increases the chances of recovering cheated money or freezing unauthorised transactions. In most cases, victims failed to report the online cheating within 24 hours. Sometimes people also come to know about the fraud after two or three days." He added that by the time police reach the final account in the transaction chain, the money is often already spent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo This data was disclosed by the cyber police in response to an RTI filed by R K Garg, founder and president of the Second Innings Association, an organisation working for senior citizens in the Tricity. Garg pointed out that the cyber cell suffers from a lack of technically qualified personnel, inadequate staffing, outdated equipment, and insufficient support from the banking system. Even after transactions are frozen, victims face long delays in getting their money back due to complex banking procedures and legal formalities. Over the two-year period, the cyber police received between 500 to 850 complaints each month, amounting to roughly 21,000 complaints in total. Monthly fraud amounts ranged from Rs 1 crore to Rs 6.5 crore. A significant portion of these financial losses stemmed from investment frauds and digital arrest scams. In 2025 alone, Chandigarh reported eight cases of digital arrest scams, matching the total number from the previous year. Most of the victims were retired army officers. Among the most distressing cases was that of 82-year-old retired Indian Army officer Colonel Dalip Singh Bajwa and his 74-year-old wife Ranvinder Kaur Bajwa, who were scammed out of Rs 3.41 crore. In another incident, retired Colonel Harmohinder Singh Puri from Sector 34 was threatened with a money laundering case and warned of imminent arrest. In a bid to prove his innocence, he transferred Rs 36 lakh via RTGS to an ICICI Bank account. Cyber experts and victims have called for the establishment of special cyber courts, similar to those operated by the CBI and NIA, along with the appointment of dedicated cyber prosecutors to expedite justice in such cases. Despite the challenges, R K Garg commended the cyber police for their efforts in raising awareness. He acknowledged their initiatives through social media, seminars in schools and colleges, and special campaigns aimed at educating residents about emerging cyber fraud trends. The cyber police emphasised that awareness remains the most effective tool against online fraud. They continue to issue advisories and conduct city-wide drives to inform citizens about the latest cybercrime tactics and the precautions they should take. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !


Indian Express
44 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Delhi: Out on bail in rape case, man approaches survivor on bike, shoots her; arrested
A man, out on interim bail, was arrested in Delhi on Friday for allegedly attempting to murder the woman who had accused him of rape. The police said that Abuzair Safi (30) was arrested after he allegedly shot the woman in the chest while she was travelling in an autorickshaw on Wednesday. The woman, who works as a salon manager, had filed a rape complaint against Safi last year, following which he and his accomplice, Aman Sukhla, were arrested. Safi was granted interim bail by a court last month. The Police Control Room (PCR) received a call at 9.49 pm on Wednesday regarding a gunshot being heard. When a police team arrived at the spot, autorickshaw driver Ranjeet Yadav informed the officers that a female passenger had been shot and taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre by PCR personnel. 'The victim, found conscious and medically fit, stated that while she was travelling in the auto and speaking on the phone, two persons on a motorcycle approached from behind. One of them, Abuzair Safi, who was driving, fired a shot that struck her in the chest,' DCP (South West) Amit Goel said. Based on her statement, a case was registered under sections 109(1) (attempted murder) and 3(5) (common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under the Arms Act. Sukhla was arrested on Thursday, and the motorcycle used in the crime recovered from his possession, said police. A day later, Safi was arrested, police said, adding that the weapon used in the attack, a country-made pistol, was also recovered.