Two linked to Bishnoi aide arrested

The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Punjab, in a joint operation with the Mohali police, claimed to have foiled a murder plot with the arrest of two operatives linked to foreign-based gangster Goldy Dhillon of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. They were nabbed following an exchange of fire near the Ghaggar bridge on the Ambala-Dera Bassi highway.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the arrested gangsters had been identified as Sharanjit Singh, a resident of Motemajra in Mohali, at present residing at Tangori village; and Aman Kumar, a resident of Khijargarh in Zirakpur. The police recovered two .32-bore pistols along with 10 rounds from them and impounded the motorcycle they were riding.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that both gangsters were involved in a firing incident at Rajpura last month. They were tasked by Goldy Dhillon to target a businessman in Punjab, said the DGP.

Foreign-based gangster Goldy Dhillon was the mastermind behind the daylight killing of an Indian-origin industrialist of British Columbia at Abbotsford in October this year.

Two FIRs for arms-related offences are already registered against Aman.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Hans visited the spot. He said credible intelligence was received about the movement of the two operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

A joint team of the AGTF and the Mohali police, led by Dera Bassi DSP Bikramjit Brar, intercepted the gangsters and arrested them. During the operation, the accused opened fire at the police party in an attempt to escape. However, in the retaliatory fire, both sustained bullet injuries. They were later taken to a hospital.

The police said the gangsters were planning a murder in the area. Officials said a tip-off was received after three members of the Kala Rana gang were nabbed recently. One of them, Ranbir Rana, was held after an encounter in Ajnala village of Kharar.

A case under Sections 109, 132, 221 and 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Arms act has been registered at the Dera Bassi police station.