Baddi shootout: Two arrested, hunt on for main accused
SP says five involved in gang rivalry attack
The Baddi police on Monday achieved a breakthrough by arresting two accused in connection with the February 28 shootout in which a youth, Balwinder alias Baloo, was fired upon by the occupants of a black Creta at Makhnumajra village in Baddi.
Superintendent of Police (SP), Baddi, Vinod Dhiman said the arrested accused had been identified as Lalit Kumar and David Thakur, both residents of the victim’s village, Makhnumajra. The duo was arrested last evening and are believed to have played a role in hatching the conspiracy. Efforts are on to nab the main accused, he added.
Police recovered four empty cartridges from the spot. Three bullets reportedly whizzed past the victim and none pierced him. After the firing, the assailants fled the scene, while Balwinder sustained grievous injuries. He was first provided preliminary treatment at a local hospital and later referred to PGI-Chandigarh.
According to the police probe, at least five persons are involved in the incident. Five special teams have been constituted to investigate the case. Preliminary findings suggest that the shootout was the fallout of a long-standing rivalry between two local gangs.
The SP said the two groups had earlier clashed over the contentious issue of scrap trading in Nalagarh. Criminal cases had been registered against members of both groups and they were even lodged in jail, where they reportedly clashed again. Following these incidents, the police had warned Baloo about a potential attack on him.
Baloo, a history-sheeter, also has a case of illegal possession of weapons registered against him at Kiratpur in Punjab. Several cases involving heinous crimes, including murder and violent clashes in the Baddi area, are also pending against him, the SP said.
The February 28 attack is reportedly linked to a 2021 murder case in which a local miscreant, Simmu, was killed during a clash between the two groups. The rivalry, the SP said, stemmed primarily from the illicit heroin trade, in which Simmu was allegedly involved, while Baloo had been opposing such activities in his area.
Meanwhile, a delegation of local youth on Monday met the SP and sought security cover for Baloo, apprehending another attack on his life. The SP confirmed that the request had been received and appropriate measures were being considered.
With several videos carrying misleading claims circulating on social media platforms, the SP cautioned residents against paying heed to rumours and false information and urged them to rely only on official police statements.
