The three pistol-totting youths snatched an INSAS rifle from constable Nazir Ahmad, posted at the 400-year-old mosque in Nowhatta area of the city, and were fleeing from the spot when they were intercepted by passersby.
The youths, however, managed to escape while being taken to a police station, police said, adding the local residents recovered the service rifle of the cop and a pistol from the youths.
The locals later handed over the INSAS rifle and the pistol to Nowhatta police station.