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{{Short description|Indian criminal group}}
The '''Thak Thak gang''' ('''Knock Knock gang''')<ref>{{Cite web |title=City sleepless as gangs go on robbing spree |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/city-sleepless-as-gangs-go-on-robbing-spree-1606788-2019-10-06 |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> is a notorious criminal group primarily active in North India, especially in the [[National Capital Region (India)]]. This group specializes in targeting parked vehicles and may also employ deceptive tactics to distract victims before stealing their cash and valuable belongings.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=5 members of 'thak thak' gang held, used to target parked cars |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/5-members-of-thak-thak-gang-held-used-to-target-parked-cars/articleshow/63992377.cms |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title='Thak thak' gang: 3 UP men arrested for stealing phones |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/thak-thak-gang-3-up-men-arrested-for-stealing-phones/articleshow/100579984.cms |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The group frequently changes its location to evade arrest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=4 members of 'Thak Thak' gang arrested |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/thak-thak-gang-chandigarh-police-arrest-8376486/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Name ==
The name "{{Lang|hi|Thak-Thak}}" (ठक्-ठक्) is derived from the sound of knocking on a vehicle's window or door as a means to divert the attention of the passengers or driver, while the gang members swiftly execute their looting operation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Here Is How The 'Thak Thak' Gang Which Robbed Bollywood Actress Farheen Prabhakar Operates |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/here-is-how-the-thak-thak-gang-which-assaulted-robbed-bollywood-actress-farheen-prabhakar-operates-360754.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Puncturing tyres, spilling oil on bonnet: Police reveal tactics of Thak Thak gang |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/puncturing-tyres-spilling-oil-on-bonnet-police-reveal-tactics-of-thak-thak-gang/story-XNPtSWm6ypJ59x7amc34jK.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Modus operandi ==
The Thak Thak group operates using a [[Deception|deceptive]] [[modus operandi]] to target their victims.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Thak thak, Namaste, Special 26... Gangs of Delhi and their modus operandi |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/thak-thak-whos-there/article17535110.ece |access-date=2023-07-19 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> They engage in activities such as observing the contents of vehicles to determine if there are any valuable items inside. Subsequently, they divert the driver's attention, ensnaring them in their scheme, and ultimately deceive and escape with the stolen goods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |title=Thak Thak gang back in South Delhi, rob Saudi prof, family |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/thak-thak-gang-back-1503102907.html |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=The Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref> The Thak Thak gang operates using various techniques. The following are examples:

They first stop the vehicle by puncturing the tires or spilling oil on the bonnet, getting the attention of the driver, so the driver must stop to see what has happened to the vehicle.<ref name=":0" /> The members of the 'Thak Thak' gang stay around and steal [[laptop]] bags, [[Mobile phone|mobile phones]], and other valuables that are left unattended during this orchestrated drama.<ref name=":0" /> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Thak Thak gang: How six people robbed a car {{!}} City - Times of India Videos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/city/delhi/thak-thak-gang-how-six-people-robbed-a-car/videoshow/77177312.cms |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi: Thak-thak gang steals diamonds worth Rs 1 crore, but cops prove smarter {{!}} City - Times of India Videos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/city/delhi/delhi-thak-thak-gang-steals-diamonds-worth-rs-1-crore-but-cops-prove-smarter/videoshow/77428633.cms |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

An Additional Sessions Judge in the Okhla area of [[South East Delhi district|South East Delhi]] fell victim to the 'Thak Thak gang' on September 24, 2019. The gang members employed a distraction technique, subsequently breaking the car window and stealing a small black purse.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi: 'Thak Thak gang' steals bag from Additional Sessions Judge's car |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/delhi-thak-thak-gang-steals-bag-additional-sessions-082411057.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}}</ref>

=== Tyre puncture ===
The "Thak Thak" gang tricks drivers and passengers into believing that their vehicle has a puncture, urging them to investigate the situation. In a specific incident, gang members riding a two-wheeler pursued a German woman who was en route to attend the Surajkund Mela in Faridabad. They subtly indicated to her driver that there was a puncture in their car's tire. Upon the driver's inspection, it was discovered that the tire was in satisfactory condition. Meanwhile, an individual approached the car, opened the rear seat door, seized her bag containing Rs. 60,000 in cash, and swiftly departed from the scene.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Thak-Thak' gang members arrested for stealing Rs 60,000 from German national |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/thak-thak-gang-members-arrested-stealing-german-national-8435857/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

=== Spilling oil and oil leakage ===
The "Thak Thak" gang deceives drivers and passengers by spilling oil and creating oil leakage to compel them to come out and check. In an incident, the Thak Thak gang targeted a car where two individuals on a motorcycle approached the occupants of the vehicle, informing them about an alleged oil leak. Consequently, both the driver and the passenger exited the car to inspect it. Meanwhile, two other individuals on another motorcycle swiftly approached from behind and absconded with the bags stored in the car's rear compartment. This incident took place in [[Seelampur]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man arrested for robbing Rs 25 lakh from businessman in 'thak-thak' gang style; accomplices apprehended |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/man-arrested-robbing-rs-25-lakh-thak-thak-gang-accomplices-8686486/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The gang members looted a woman while she was on her way to Rohini in Delhi. They distracted her by falsely alerting her to a petrol leak in the vehicle. When she stepped out to investigate, they quickly seized her bag, which contained valuable items, including expensive sunglasses, an identity card, and an ATM card.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi: 'Thak Thak gang' steals bag from Additional Sessions Judge's car |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/delhi-thak-thak-gang-steals-bag-additional-sessions-082411057.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}}</ref>

=== Breaking windowpanes ===
The group utilizes catapults to shatter the windowpanes of parked cars and make off with the valuables stored within, as reported by the [[Noida]] police,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spy cam, diary with interrogation notes: Thief who is a meticulous record-keeper |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/spy-cam-diary-with-interrogation-notes-thief-who-is-a-meticulous-record-keeper/articleshow/101007216.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=40 thefts in 45 days: Four of 'thak thak' gang held in Noida |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/40-thefts-in-45-days-four-of-thak-thak-gang-held/articleshow/98645598.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and [[Delhi Police]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi Police busts 'Thak-Thak' gang, arrests 4 for stealing laptops, other items from vehicles |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/delhi/story/delhi-news-thak-thak-gang-busted-accused-arrested-for-stealing-laptops-other-items-2286321-2022-10-17 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

=== Greed quotient ===
The members of the Thak Thak group manipulate individuals' greed factor by placing [[Banknote|currency notes]] near the tire and informing the driver that they have dropped a banknote. This tactic is employed to divert the driver's attention and entice them to exit the vehicle in order to collect the notes.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=Knock knock, you're robbed |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/knock-knock-youre-robbed/articleshow/5541378.cms |access-date=2023-07-08 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== Chemical spray ===
The gang employs chemical spray to stop vehicles and force occupants to exit. According to the woman, the culprits sprayed a chemical substance on the car's bonnet, causing white fumes to enter through the air conditioning vents. This resulted in breathing difficulties and burning sensations on the skin, compelling her to leave the vehicle and struggle for breath on the roadside.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Thak thak' gang bikers spray with chemical, rob US woman near Delhi AIIMS |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/thak-thak-gang-bikers-spray-with-chemical-rob-us-woman-near-delhi-aiims/story-vZIUR5dlLxGHJUagvr46OJ.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Smashing cars ===
Actress [[Farheen]] was targeted by a member of the Thak Thak group who vandalized her car and stole her wallet. Upon Farheen halting her car at a traffic signal, all four assailants attempted to vandalize her vehicle. Subsequently, when she parked her car and attempted to engage in a dialogue, the robbers subjected her to verbal abuse, accusing her of inadequate driving skills.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thak Thak gang robs, assaults actress Farheen Prabhakar in Delhi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/crime/story/thak-thak-gang-robs-assaults-actress-farheen-prabhakar-in-delhi-1435380-2019-01-21 |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Similar gangs ==
The police have encountered two other infamous gangs in recent years. One of them is known as the [[Chaddi Baniyan gang]], notorious for applying oil to their bodies to facilitate quick getaways. They also wear masks during their robberies. The second gang specializes in chain snatching.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thak-thak and more! Most notorious gangs of thieves arrested by police |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/thak-thak-and-more-most-notorious-gangs-of-thieves-arrested-by-police/669232 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=www.timesnownews.com |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Kala Kachcha gang]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Organised crime in India}}

[[Category:Looting]]
[[Category:Crime in India by type]]
[[Category:Gangs in India]]
[[Category:Indian slang]]
[[Category:Organised crime in India]]

Thak Thak gang - Revision history

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