The day he was shot, Sukha’s aides had plans to free him from custody

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 17

The arrested aides of gangster Sukha Kahlwan had plans to free him from police custody on January 21, the day he was shot dead allegedly by a rival gang near Phagwara.

Sources in the police said Sukha’s aides had plans to waylay the police vehicle that was carrying him to the high-security Nabha Jail following a court hearing in Jalandhar.

Three of Sukha’s aides were arrested by the Jalandhar (Rural) police today. They reportedly wanted to take revenge from Sukha's “murderers”, gangsters Gonder Malout and Prema Lahoria. The trio has been identified as Jagsher Singh alias Sherry of Pind Ucha in Phagwara, Panchnoor Singh alias Pancham of Jalandhar and Sahilpreet alias Malli of Hansa village in Tarn Taran.

Two pistols of .315 bore, as many of 7.65 bore, one of 9 mm with 10 live cartridges, two cars and a motorcycle have also been recovered from their possession. With today’s arrests, the police claimed to have averted another gang war in the aftermath of Sukha’s murder.

Superintendent of Police (Detective) HPS Khakh said, “Had they not been arrested, Sukha’s aides would have resorted to bloodshed to avenge the murder.” He said two more Sukha’s aides, Rajinder Pal Singh of Hariana village and Rajwinder Singh of Kahlwan village, were arrested along with illegal weapons on February 7. Three more Sukha gang members are still at large.

“Eight armed assailants, including the five arrested, had planned to free Sukha from police custody on January 21. But Gonder and Prema managed to kill him before his friends could succeed in their mission,” a police official said.

The arrested aides had even reportedly visited the crime spot where they vowed to take revenge. More than 10 armed assailants had opened fire at Sukha after cornering the police vehicle. He was handcuffed then. But the attackers did not target any of the seven policemen who were accompanying the gangster.

Sources said the police were hopeful of arresting Gonder and Lahoria after interrogating the trio arrested today.