Pigeon heist: 400 exotic of them stolen in world of 'Kabootarbazi' of Meerut
Uttar Pradesh: In a stunning heist, thieves stole 400 exotic pigeons worth Rs 10 lakh from a 65-year-old kabootarbaz's terrace in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, leaving the owner devastated.
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Uttar Pradesh: In a bizarre theft that has stunned the kabootarbazi community, Mohd Qayyum, a 65-year-old pigeon breeder from Meerut, discovered that 400 of his prized pigeons had been stolen overnight. These birds, some belonging to rare foreign breeds and valued at around Rs 10 lakh, were part of a family tradition dating back to the Mughal era.
A legacy disrupted
For generations, Qayyum's family has been deeply involved in kabootarbazi, a traditional sport of pigeon racing. He meticulously raised and trained these birds, housing them in specially built coops on his terrace. Every morning, he would spend time feeding and training them, until the shocking discovery on Monday morning when he found all the cages empty.
Theft under mysterious circumstances
"I was shattered when I found my pigeons missing. It’s unbelievable how the thieves managed to steal so many birds without anyone noticing," Qayyum said. He immediately informed the police, who have registered a case at Lisadi Gate police station.
Meerut SP City, Ayush Vikram Singh, stated, "CCTV footage from the surrounding areas is being examined to identify the culprits. Prima facie, they used a ladder to access the terrace. Interestingly, nothing else was stolen from the house only the pigeons."
10 लाख के 400 कबूतर चोरी, कबूतर मालिक ने पुलिस से की शिकायत, कबूतरों को दाना डालने पहुंचे कबूतर मालिक को नहीं दिखे कबूतर, #मेरठ लिसाड़ी गेट थाना क्षेत्र के लिसाड़ी गांव की घटना। pic.twitter.com/NYkAdmPGFr
— Danish Khan (@Danishk77853628) February 17, 2025
Community in shock
The stolen pigeons were a major attraction for bird enthusiasts in Meerut. Many residents often visited Qayyum’s terrace to witness the exotic breeds. The incident has raised questions about security and the rising interest in high-value pigeon breeds, making them a target for thieves.
Authorities are actively working on tracking down the thieves. "Given the number of pigeons stolen, it is likely the culprits had prior knowledge about their value and location," said an officer investigating the case.
The incident has left Qayyum and the local pigeon-racing community in distress, as they hope for swift police action to recover the stolen birds and bring the culprits to justice.