2 murder accused nabbed after police encounter in Rohtak

Two accused in the kidnapping and murder of property dealer Satyawan from Kheri Sadh village were arrested following a brief exchange of fire with a team of Rohtak Police on Kanheli–Paharawar Road here on Monday night.

The accused sustained bullet injuries in their legs during the encounter.

Police recovered two country-made pistols and revolvers, three live cartridges and a motorcycle from their possession. Both were admitted to PGIMS Rohtak for treatment.

Satyawan’s body was recovered from the JLN canal on February 24. Four other accused in the case had already been arrested.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Surendra Singh Bhoria said the accused identified as Pradeep Dagar of Jharoda Kalan (Delhi) and Sombir of Madina (Rohtak) have prior criminal records.

“On Monday, the CIA-2 team received a tip-off that the accused were roaming in the Shivaji Colony area. Acting swiftly, a team was constituted and sent to apprehend them. When the police tried to stop two motorcycle-borne youths on Kanheli–Paharawar Road, they opened fire at the police with the intent to kill. The police warned them to surrender and fired in the air, but the accused continued shooting,” Bhoria said.

He added that the police retaliated in self-defence, during which both accused were shot in the legs and overpowered. A total of 14 rounds were exchanged during the encounter — nine fired by the accused and five by the police in retaliation.

The SP claimed that Dagar is named in three murder cases registered at Sampla Police Station in 2009 and 2010, and an Arms Act case registered at City Police Station, Rohtak, in 2015.

He also faces cases of robbery, snatching and kidnapping in Rajasthan and Jhajjar, besides a murder case registered in Delhi.

Sombir, the SP said, is named in two cases — an attempt to murder case registered at Kalayat Police Station in Kaithal in 2021, and a theft case registered at City Police Station, Karnal, in 2014.