Gangster aide held in Batala

The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has apprehended a close aide of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria in connection with the sensational shootout that took place at Ghuman in Batala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Nilson Massih, alias Sunny, a resident of Athwal village in Gurdaspur. He has a long criminal history and has been facing at least seven cases, including those of murder, attempted murder, robbery, snatching and violations under the Arms Act.

The shootout took place outside the petrol pump located on the Ghuman-Shri Hargobindpur road at Ghuman village in Batala on the evening of May 26 had resulted in the killing of Gurpreet singh Gora, alias Gora Bariar, and injuries to Billa Mandiala.

Yadav said preliminary interrogation revealed that Massih was in regular contact with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Acting on Bhagwanpuria’s directions, he orchestrated the murder of Gora Bariar. Massih, along with his three associates, had carried out this attack, he said.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said following secret inputs, the presence of the key accused involved in the Gora Bariar murder case under the jurisdiction of Batala, the teams from AGTF under the supervision of DSP Rajan Parminder, along with teams of the Batala police, launched an intel-based operation and apprehended the accused Nilson Massih from Qadian-Batala road near Shahbad village.