Petrol pump staffer’s murder: 2 suspects injured in encounter

Four days after a petrol pump employee was shot dead and another was left injured in an alleged robbery bid in Majitha, the Amritsar Rural Police have arrested two of the suspects after a brief exchange of fire at Thariyewal village here.

The duo, identified as Amarbir Singh, alias Raghu, and Akashdeep Singh, both residents of Naushehra Nangli village, had sustained bullet injuries in the legs and they were admitted to the Majitha Civil Hospital here.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Majitha) Amolak Singh said Prabhjit Singh, SHO, Majiitha police station, got intelligence inputs regarding their presence near Thariyewal village following which a naka was laid. At a checkpoint, a team of cops signalled bike-borne persons to stop, but they fired at the police party in their bid to escape from the spot.

In a retaliatory firing in self-defence, the two suffered bullet injuries in the legs. He said further investigations were in progress to identify their third accomplice.

Gautam Kumar, a UP migrant, was shot dead while Amit had suffered a gunshot injury on the face during the robbery bid. Gautam suffered a bullet injury in the chest and doctors declared him dead on arrival. The petrol pump located at Kaler Mangat village belonged to SAD leader Jodh Singh Samra. Following the incident, former Punjab minister and senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had claimed it to be an attempt to target Samra. The police had registered a case on charges of murder and attempt to murder in this connection.

Maninder Singh, SSP, Amritsar (Rural), said the incident was the outcome of a robbery bid and it was not meant to target anyone. He said the third suspect in the case would also be arrested soon.