'Drug peddler' dies in encounter, his two accomplices arrested

A 'drug smuggler' died in an encounter with the Shahkot police in Jalandhar yesterday.

Identified as Gurpreet, alias Gopi, the smuggler, a resident of village Kutbewal in Shahkot, was injured in an encounter with the police on April 20 and succumbed to his injuries last night.

The encounter happened during the Jalandhar Rural Police's chase to nab three smugglers who had a heroin consignment in their possession.

The three smugglers were identified as Rohit, alias Rohi, resident of village Mandala, Lovepreet Singh, alias Labba, resident of village Kutbewal, and Gurpreet, alias Gopi, resident of Kutbewal.

SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said, "The CIA staff of the rural police got information that certain gangsters were active in the Lohian area of Shahkot." The police team intercepted the smugglers at Kutbewal village while they were riding a bike.

He said, "When the police team was cornering them, Gurpreet fired a shot at ASI Mandeep Singh. The ASI saved himself by ducking."

This resulted in a cross-firing between the police and gangsters in which Gopi was injured, while two others have been arrested. The police said Gopi was taken to the Civil Hospital, Lohian, but later succumbed to his injuries.

The SSP said the police have recovered 100 gm heroin, .30 bore pistol, three rounds and a motorbike from their possession and an empty shell was also recovered.

He also said the trio were hardened criminals and had various previous cases registered against them. The police said Gurpreet had six, Lovepreet had three and Rohit had four cases against him.