Gangster nabbed after gunfight with Kapurthala police

The Kapurthala police on Tuesday morning arrested gangster Balwinder Singh, alias Billa, following a brief encounter near Sultanpur Lodhi.

Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora said the operation unfolded when a police team, acting on a tip-off, set up a barricade to intercept the suspect, who was riding a motorcycle.

Instead of stopping, Billa opened fire twice, prompting police to shoot in self-defence. One of the bullets struck him in the leg, bringing the chase to an end.  He was then taken into custody and admitted to the civil hospital under tight security.

Police recovered a country-made pistol, several live cartridges, and impounded his motorcycle.

SSP Toora confirmed that Billa was wanted in six criminal cases, including the February 25 murder in Sultanpur Lodhi and a May 2025 incident in which shots were fired at a police party in Kartarpur.

Raids are under way to apprehend his associates, he said.