The police have also arrived at the conclusion that the criminals orchestrated the entire plan using the latest in communication systems.

In the well-devised plan executed, the disguised robbers intercepted Gaffar Shaikh Abdul Hamid Shaikh, the trader from Khadki near Phursungi Phata and robbed him. Gaffar, along with two others was returning home from Hyderabad after conducting some business there. Shaikh registered his complaint with the Loni Kalbhor police in the afternoon. Police squads were sent to nab the criminals in various directions and police in Solapur, Kolhapur and other districts were also alerted. On the basis of description provided by Gaffar Shaikh, the police drew sketches of three of the five robbers. Copies of the sketches were sent to the police machinery in rural areas.

``The Kolhapur police has informed us that the sketches and other descriptions of the robbers match with some criminals committing robberies in similar fashion in Kolhapur,'' said rural police Superintendent Suresh Khopde.

He further said that there were criminals in Pune city whose modus operandi was similar. ``We have got some information in this regard which we hope will provide us some clues in solving this case,'' he added.