Firing at grocery store after owner refuses to pay extortion money

Two alleged operatives of notorious gangster Happy Jatt fired at a shop near Tangra bus stand after the victim refused to pay extortion money. The incident occurred late last evening.

The police have registered an FIR against Happy Jatt and his unknown accomplices while further investigations were on to identify and nab them, said the police.

Vikas Kumar, a resident of Tangra, lodged a complaint with the Tarsikka police in this regard. He said that he runs a grocery store near Tangra bus stand. He said on June 11, he received a call from abroad on his WhatsApp number in which the caller identified himself as Happy Jatt. He demanded extortion money and threatened to harm him and his family. However, he refused to pay the extortion money.

He said that on Tuesday, he along with his father was present at the shop when at around 8 pm, two bike-borne persons with faces covered came there. The pillion rider took out a pistol and started firing indiscriminately at the shop. They had a narrow escape in the firing incident.

Tarsikka police have registered a case of attempt to murder and extortion under the provisions of Arms Act and launched further probe.

Notably, Jatt has over 20 criminal cases, including murder and attempt to murder, registered against him at various police stations in Punjab.

Happy Jatt escaped from police custody around four years ago. Since then, he had been evading arrest. After escaping from police custody, Happy Jatt came in contact with Pakistan-based cross-border smugglers and entered into drug trade. As per police records, Happy Jatt entered the world of crime in 2017. He reportedly escaped to foreign shores after fabricating documents, it is learnt.