Karipur: A gang allegedly attempted to abduct a woman who arrived at Kozhikode airport with smuggled gold worth around Rs 1.1 crore. The group also attacked police personnel who intervened, with one officer narrowly escaping after jumping to the roadside to avoid being hit by a car.

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The incident took place around 3 am on Monday at Karipur. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case, while the others managed to escape.

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Those arrested have been identified as Abhirami (27) from Vandanmedu in Idukki, who arrived with the gold; Harshal (40) from Ernakulam, who had come to receive her; and Sayanth (28) and Babilesh (40) both from Kallachi in Nadapuram, who allegedly belonged to the gang that attempted to snatch the gold.

Police had noticed a group behaving suspiciously near the airport's arrival area. They began following the group after seeing its members trail the woman as she came out of the arrival gate.

The woman and Harshal proceeded towards the parking area when the gang intercepted them and grabbed her trolley bag. As a physical altercation broke out between the gang and the man accompanying her, police intervened and overpowered some of those involved.

The group then turned against the police. Home guard, Murali Krishna, was bitten during the assault.

Meanwhile, some members of the gang attempted to flee in a car. When a member of the special police squad tried to stop them, the driver allegedly attempted to run him over. The officer escaped by jumping towards the roadside.
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Gold hidden inside emergency lamp

Detailed questioning of those arrested revealed the gold-smuggling operation and the attempt to snatch the consignment.

Police learnt that the gold in Abhirami's baggage had been sent by Swalih, a native of Thamarassery. Around 10 people had arrived in two cars to intercept her and take the gold, according to the investigation.

Police recovered 14 gold plates weighing a total of 817 grams from an emergency lamp concealed inside Abhirami's baggage. The gold is valued at approximately Rs 1.1 crore.

A sum of Rs 67,000, kept as payment for Abhirami, and the car used by Harshal will be handed over to the Customs Department for further action.