Bambiha gang member arrested after brief encounter in Moga

The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Punjab, in a joint operation with the Moga police on Wednesday, arrested an operative of foreign-based gangster Gaurav, alias Lucky Patyal, and Davinderpal Singh, alias Gopi Lahoria, of the Davinder Bambiha gang after a brief exchange of fire in Moga city, said DGP Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Malkit Singh, alias Manu, of Dosanjh Talwandi in Moga. The police also seized one .32 calibre pistol along with four cartridges from his possession.

DGP Yadav said Manu, who was an active associate of the Davinder Bambiha gang, has a criminal background with at least seven cases related to murder, attempt-to-murder, NDPS Act and the Arms Act registered against him.

Acting on the instructions of jailed gangster Dharminder Baji, Manu, along with his accomplice Manpreet Singh, alias Mani, executed an attack on his rival at Kapura village in Moga, resulting in the murder of one individual and a woman sustaining a bullet injury on February 19 this year. Manu was also involved in a firing incident that took place at Raja Dhaba in Jagraon on February 26, he added.

Further investigations were on to establish backward and forward linkages in the case, the DGP added.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), AGTF, Promod Ban said following information that Manu was hiding in the Moga area, special teams of the AGTF, under the supervision of AIG Gurmeet Chauhan and DSP Bikramjit Brar, led by Inspector Pushvinder Singh, successfully tracked him to a rented accommodation along the Dosanjh road in Moga.

When police teams raided that accommodation, Manu opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate. Manu sustained bullet injuries during the exchange of fire. He was taken to a local hospital from where he was referred to Baba Farid Medical College in Faridkot. The ADGP said a .32 calibre pistol and four cartridges were seized from his possession.

Drug trafficker’s house demolished

Muktsar: A joint team of the police and district administration demolished an “illegally constructed” house of an alleged drug trafficker at Madrassa village here on Wednesday. Muktsar SSP Akhil Chaudhary, who was present at the spot, said Sarabjit Singh and his family members, residents of Madrassa village, were facing five cases under the NDPS Act. They had illegally constructed the house on panchayat land. “I appeal to the public to share any information about drug smugglers with us,” said the SSP. Muktsar SDM Baljit Kaur and SP (H) Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal were also present there.