Snatcher injured in police encounter

A snatcher was injured in a brief exchange of fire with the police under Vallah flyover area yesterday.  He was identified as Vikramjeet Singh alias Pintu, a resident of Gali Masit Wali Mohalla Road, Tarn Taran. During the operation, the cops recovered one pistol and five rounds.

Vikramjeet Singh was arrested by the police yesterday for snatching a mobile phone and a bike from a granthi a few days ago. He had also looted an engineer in Pratap Nagar area two days ago.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that when they were taking the accused to the B Division police station, he claimed that he was feeling uneasy. The police party stopped the car and took him out of the vehicle. The officer said when the accused stepped out of the vehicle, he retrieved ASI Harnek Singh's 9mm pistol from the compartment and started firing at the police.

The officers promptly apprehended him. However, in the process, he sustained a bullet wound to his leg. The accused was subsequently admitted to Civil Hospital, Amritsar, for medical treatment.

A fresh FIR has been registered against him on charge of attempt to murder under the Arms Act.