5 accused in ransom case held, 2 others hurt in Hisar encounter

The Hisar police on Saturday arrested five accused after an encounter near Siswala village in the district in connection with a high-profile ransom case of Karnal district. Two of the accused were injured in the police firing and admitted to hospital.

The accused had reportedly sought a ransom of Rs 1 crore from a mobile shop owner in Karnal two days ago. They fired shots into the air, opened the shop’s door and threw in a handwritten note demanding a ransom of Rs 1 crore.

However, after getting a tip-off, the Hisar police chased a vehicle with the accused near Siswala village. During the chase, the car overturned and the accused attempted to flee on foot. The police claimed the accused opened fire on the police team. In retaliation, the police fired back, injuring two of the accused — Rahul, alias Gabbu, and Aryan, both residents of Balsmand village.

The remaining three accused were apprehended on the spot. They have been identified as Ved Prakash and Ankit, residents of Rawalwas Kalan, and Amit, a resident of Sarsana. Upon searching the accused, the police recovered several illegal firearms, including one .32 bore pistol, one 9mm pistol, and one .30 bore pistol, along with four live cartridges of .32 bore, one live cartridge of 9mm, and three live cartridges of .38 bore.

An FIR has been registered at the Hisar Sadar police station under Sections 109(1), 121(1), 132, and 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the Arms Act. The accused face charges of attempt to murder, obstructing public servants in discharge of their duty and unlawful possession of firearms.