Gunfire at Dhilwan plaza as armed men refuse to pay toll

Panic gripped the Dhilwan toll plaza on the Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway after four armed men opened fire after last midnight when asked to pay toll charges. No injuries were reported in the incident, but the toll plaza staff had a narrow escape.

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According to the police, the incident took place when a white Creta SUV without number plate approached Gate No. 3 of the toll plaza from the Jalandhar side. When toll plaza employee Jugraj Singh, a resident of Dhaniye Ke Bangar in Gurdaspur district, requested the occupants to pay the toll, the driver attempted to speed through the gate without making the payment.

The toll staff quickly blocked the vehicle using barricades, forcing the driver to halt. At that point, all four occupants — one of whom was reportedly wearing a turban — stepped out of the vehicle. One of the men fired three or four rounds in the direction of the toll booth before they fled towards the Beas.

Responding swiftly, the police arrived at the scene and secured CCTV footage from the toll plaza. Station House Officer (SHO) Dalwinderbir Singh confirmed the incident and said an FIR has been registered under relevant sections against unknown persons.

“We have taken CCTV footage into our custody and launched an investigation. Efforts are underway to identify the accused,” SHO Singh said.

Toll plaza officials stated that the shooting occurred during the night shift and the bullets narrowly missed the staff on duty. The incident has raised concerns over the safety of toll workers and travellers along the busy highway.