Ropar Police has arrested six persons to bust a gang of highway robbers, led by a teenager, operating in the districts of Ambala (Haryana), and Patiala, Mohali as well as Ropar (Punjab). Four gang members are still absconding.All six have a total of 16 cases of robbery, dacoity and attempt to murder registered against them in these districts, where they were active for last two years. The accused were wanted in 12 cases of robbery and dacoity and had, in the last two years, looted Rs 21 lakhs. Police has recovered Rs. 1 lakh rupees and motorcycles from their possessionThe 19-year-old gangleader, Khushpreet aka Khushi of Shambu, Patiala, has eight cases registered against him. Other members of the gang have been identified as Vikas of Nabha (7 cases), Mandeep of Shambu (8 cases), Gurvinder of Morinda (2 cases), Gurvinder of Bassi Pathana (4 cases) and Vicky of Fatehgarh Sahib (2 cases). SSP Ropar Swapan Sharma said they had met in the jails of Mohali and Patiala in various cases and formed a gang. The gang targeted people who would collect large sums of committee money or loan amounts, and would rob them in areas which these people would frequent. Points like petrol stations or gas agencies where money collections happen on a daily basis were their regular targets too. Before each robbery, they would conduct recce for two to three days to identify their targets, their routines and escape points.