A jeweller in Bilimora town, Navsari district, was shot at during a daylight robbery attempt at his establishment on the afternoon of April 7.
The incident occurred at Chanchal Jewellers, located in the Gauhar Baug area, when two armed men arrived at the premises with the intent to loot the store.
The shop owner, Ashok Katariya, was injured after he confronted the assailants, who subsequently fled the scene without any stolen goods.
According to a report by the The Times of India, the suspects brandished a firearm and demanded valuables shortly after stepping into the shop. When Mr Katariya resisted their demands, one of the men fired a single shot, causing the jeweller to collapse.
The noise and the confrontation caused the robbers to abandon the attempt. Witnesses reported seeing the duo join a third accomplice waiting in a silver hatchback car, which lacked registration plates, before driving away from the scene.
Investigation and Police Response
Local residents provided immediate assistance to Mr Katariya, who was transported to a private medical facility for treatment.
The Navsari police, alongside the Local Crime Branch (LCB), have initiated a comprehensive investigation. Checkpoints were established across the Navsari, Valsad, and Surat Rural districts to intercept the getaway vehicle.
Law enforcement officials are currently examining CCTV footage from the shop and adjacent commercial properties to identify the perpetrators.
Security Protocols for Jewellery Retailers
The incident highlights the persistent security challenges faced by retail jewellers in the region. Security analysts at Atigo Security have identified organised retail crime as a primary threat in 2026.
Experts suggest that modern criminal networks often conduct reconnaissance over several days before executing robberies in less than 90 seconds.
To mitigate these risks, industry recommendations include the installation of AI-based threat detection and dual communication systems that remain operational even if one network is disrupted by criminals.
