Encounter probe makes further headway, three land in police net in Sri Ganganagar

Interrogation of two criminals who were injured in an encounter with the Punjab Police near Ladhowal in Ludhiana on Thursday helped in nabbing three Sri Ganganagar-based operatives. A Punjab Police team had visited Sri Ganganagar after the encounter. Later, a Rajasthan Police team visited Ludhiana for further probe.

The police conducted raids in different areas and arrested three individuals with illegal weapons. These arrests appear to link to a larger criminal network, including the recent police encounter in Ludhiana, involving a Pakistani handler and a notorious gangster imprisoned in Jharkhand.

Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan confirmed that cases had been registered against all suspects under the Arms Act. Rakesh, alias Rocky Nehra (26), of Chak 26-GB Haripura, was arrested near Kings Vasudha Colony. A .32-bore pistol and two cartridges were recovered from his possession. Amit Nayak (22) of Takhranwali village was also apprehended. A magazine loaded with two 7.65mm cartridges was recovered from his possession. Amit is also linked to their network. Bhupendra Yadav (32) of Chak 9 BGD village was arrested on Haripura Road. A .32 bore pistol and two 7.65 mm cartridges were recovered from him.

The SP said the arrest of Rakesh was connected to last week’s police encounter in Ludhiana, in which Ram Lal of Takhranwali village in Sri Ganganagar district was apprehended with grenades.

Sources said Ram Lal and his associate, Deepak, alias Deepu, of Fazilka district, were sent to Ludhiana to receive a delivery of Chinese grenades on the instructions of a Pakistani handler, Jasveer, alias Chaudhary. These grenades were brought by bus from the Attari border in Amritsar.

According to police sources, Rocky revealed that he was in contact with Sunil Kumar Meena, alias SK Meena, alias Mayank Singh, a notorious criminal from Gharsana, located near the Indo-Pak border, who is lodged in a Jharkhand jail, through the virtual WhatsApp number of Jasveer. At Mayank Singh’s request, Rocky had recently provided five pistols. One pistol was given to Bhupendra Singh, two to Ram Lal and his friend Deepak and one pistol and some cartridges were given to Amit.

Investigation indicated that Rocky maintained constant contact with gangster Sachin Thapan, who is in Ajmer jail, Jagga Pehalwan, who is hiding in the US, Jasveer, alias Chaudhary, and Kala of Haryana. On their instructions, he provided men to supply weapons, in exchange for around Rs 2 lakh.