Murder suspect injured, arrested in police shootout

The Amritsar Rural Police arrested a key accused in the Dhulka village murder case following a brief encounter here in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Sukhpreet Singh, alias Sukh, a resident of Ugana village in Patiala district. He is the main accused of supplying weapons and providing shelter to the shooters involved in the murder of Manjit Singh on November 16.

DIG, Border Range, Sandeep Goel and SSP, Amritsar (Rural), Suhail Mir said on November 16, two unidentified assailants entered a shop at Dhulka village and shot dead Manjit Singh.

A case was registered at the Khilchian police station under BNS provisions and the Arms Act. Earlier, the prime accused, Raja Singh, alias Billa, of Cheema Kalan, was gunned down in a police encounter, while his associate, Manpreet Singh, alias Shammi, was arrested.

During the ongoing investigation, the police received intelligence that Sukhpreet Singh was moving in the area and planning another incident. Acting on information, SI Ajaypal Singh and his team laid a naka near the Jethuwal canal. The accused arrived at the spot and attempted to flee, opening fire at the police party. In retaliatory fire, he sustained injuries and was overpowered. The police recovered a 9mm pistol and three live cartridges from his possession. He was taken to hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable.

The police said the accused had strong links with an organised gang and had facilitated the shooters both before and after the murder. Officials confirmed efforts were underway to identify more associates, trace the weapon supply chain and establish wider gang connections.