2 associates of Landa gang arrested after encounter

The Jalandhar Commissionerate police arrested two persons associated with the Canada-based Lakhbir Singh Landa’s gang after a shootout near sugarcane fields along the Kangniwal-Samrai road on Friday morning.

The police seized seven country-made weapons along with six magazines and six cartridges from their possession. Those arrested were identified as Jaskaran, alias Karan, of Bheekha Nangal in Kartarpur and Fatehdeep Singh, alias Pardeep Saini, of Phagwara.

Constables Parminder Singh and Dilraj Singh sustained injuries during the shootout and were admitted to hospital for treatment. The gangsters also suffered bullet injuries on their legs.

The encounter took place around 20 km from the city under the Sadar police station area. Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma said, “Over 50 shots were fired from both sides. The accused were moving from one location to another. They were waiting for some persons to hand over weapons when they were trapped. After we got inputs about their presence, our teams launched an extensive operation. The gangsters opened fire on the police, prompting it to retaliate.” The CP visited the Civil Hospital to meet the injured constables.

The CP said those arrested were involved in a number of crimes, including extortion, murder and attempt to murder. They were also instrumental in providing logistical support to other gang members and supplying weapons to criminal outfits, he added.

Preliminary probe revealed that both gangsters were in touch with Landa. They were hatching a conspiracy to eliminate two persons belonging to their rival gang, the CP said. Further investigations were on, he added.