Punjab Police on Wednesday said one of the three youths accused of killing a police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and a home guard jawan in Gurdaspur was shot dead during an encounter, while another suspect has been arrested. A third accused remains on the run.
The deceased was identified as Ranjit Singh (19), a resident of Adhian village near the International Border. The arrested accused, Dilawar Singh (19) of Ali Nangal village, is currently in police custody, while Inderjit Singh (21) continues to evade arrest, reported Hindustan Times.
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The case relates to the February 22 killing of ASI Gurnam Singh and home guard jawan Ashok Kumar, who were found with gunshot wounds inside a police checkpost in Adhian village, triggering heightened security in the border district.
Encounter during weapon recovery operation
Deputy inspector general of police (border range) Sandeep Goel said Ranjit Singh had revealed the location where the weapon used in the crime was hidden. While police were taking him for recovery, their vehicle overturned near Galrhi village due to fog, allowing him to escape.
After a red alert was issued, a police team spotted a motorcycle around 3am near Purana Shala on the Gurdaspur-Mukerian road. According to police, the rider attempted to flee and opened fire.
Police retaliated, injuring the suspect, later identified as Ranjit Singh. He was taken to a civil hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. CIA in-charge inspector Gurmeet Singh was injured in the firing, while another officer escaped due to wearing a bulletproof jacket.
"They were assigned the task of killing Punjab Police personnel. Before executing the crime, they conducted a recce of the area," Goel was quoted as saying by HT.
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Police said the accused were allegedly in touch with Pakistan-based, ISI-backed handlers and had carried out the killings for money.
Investigation and allegations of 'fake encounter'
Officials said the case was solved within 72 hours through a joint operation by counter intelligence Punjab and Gurdaspur police, supported by technical surveillance teams. Efforts are ongoing to arrest absconding accused Inderjit Singh.
Meanwhile, Ranjit Singh's family has alleged that he was killed in a "fake encounter", claiming he had been taken into custody from his home a day earlier.
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has sought a CBI probe into the incident, raising concerns over accountability. Police have not yet issued a detailed response to these allegations.
