In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has apprehended four accused after a brief exchange of fire near Sirhind Canal Link Road in Bathinda, and recovered two sophisticated pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.
Those arrested have been identified as Gurdeep Singh alias Kala, Sukhchain Singh alias Pila and Gurvinder Singh alias Mana, all residents of village Salabatpura in Bathinda; and Jashanpreet alias Jassi, a resident of village Dullewala in Bathinda. The recovered weapons include one 9MM Glock and one .30 bore pistol along with five live cartridges, and two empty shells.
Apart from recovering weapons, police teams have also impounded their two motorcycles including a Royal Enfield Bullet and a Hero Splendor, which they were riding.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused are linked to a criminal network and are wanted in a recent criminal case registered at Police Station Bhagta Bhaika in Bathinda.
The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish backward and forward linkages in this case to identify other associates, and uncover the wider criminal network.
Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that following reliable input, police team from AGTF Bathinda was chasing four suspects travelling on two motorcycles and upon noticing the police party near Sirhind Canal Link Road near village Gobindpura in Bathinda, they opened fire at police party with the intention of evading arrest.
The AGTF personnel retaliated by opening controlled fire in self-defence, he said, while adding that during the exchange of fire, accused Gurvinder alias Mana sustained bullet injury on his leg and two bullets struck the official Maruti Ertiga vehicle being used by the police party. The injured has been undergoing treatment at local Civil Hospital, he added.
The ADGP said that preliminary investigation has revealed the arrested accused were on the way to eliminate the member of their rival gang. Arrested accused has criminal history with multiple criminal cases pertaining to attempt to murder, Dacoity, Arms Act, NDPS act, etc. have been registered.
In this regard, an FIR is being registered under relevant sections at Police station Cantonment in Bathinda.
