The Chandigarh Police have arrested two snatchers who allegedly fled into a dense jungle after committing robberies and hid in a makeshift hut guarded by more than a dozen aggressive dogs, officials said.

The accused have been identified as Afjal alias Salu (30) and Mohammad Sahdman alias Sadhu, both residents of Manimajra. Police said the arrests were made with the assistance of the Municipal Corporation’s dog control squad, after which the illegal hut used by the suspects was demolished and set on fire to prevent future misuse.

Case linked to December snatching

The arrests are linked to an FIR registered on December 17, 2025, at Manimajra police station, based on a complaint filed by Prem Pandey (21), an auto-rickshaw driver from Shastri Nagar.

According to the complaint, Pandey was travelling in his auto on December 16 when he stopped near the railway bridge on the jungle side around 4 pm. Two youths allegedly approached him, snatched ₹14,000 in cash along with personal documents, and fled towards the forested area behind the Housing Board.

Hidden hut deep inside forest

Following the complaint, police teams launched a search operation across the jungle belt. During the operation, they located a hut hidden deep inside the forest, which was allegedly being used as a regular hideout by snatchers after committing crimes.

Police said the area around the hut had been deliberately secured by releasing more than a dozen dogs, making it extremely difficult for anyone to approach. Sources added that a man posing as a ‘baba’ lived in the hut, providing a cover that allowed criminals to take shelter there without attracting suspicion.

Dogs neutralised, hut demolished

When police reached the spot, the dogs reportedly began charging at the team, forcing officers to call the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh’s special dog control unit. After a sustained effort, the dogs were brought under control, the occupant was removed, and the hut was demolished and set ablaze.

Accused confess, sent to custody

Based on CCTV analysis and local intelligence, the two accused were later arrested. During interrogation, they reportedly confessed to using the jungle hut as a hiding place after committing snatching incidents.

Both were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.