Haryana gangster to be quizzed over murder bid on SAD leader

Abohar, August 20

The Wahabwala police in Abohar have brought Haryana-based gangster Pawan Kumar, alias Totla, of Nahra village in Sonepat, on a production warrant. He had been wanted in many cases.

According to the police, Totla will be interrogated in connection with the fatal attack on Akali leader Prahlad Neol in Khatwan village. Totla was today brought to the Civil Hospital for a medical check-up after a court allowed his investigation in the custody.

On August 4, 2019, five armed assailants had targeted Akali leader and former chairman of Abohar Improvement Trust Neol at his Khatwan village residence and fired around 15 rounds. As his security personnel retaliated, the miscreants escaped in an SUV bearing the registration number of Haryana.

However, the guards and several villagers chased the SUV, which was noticed moving towards Sherewala village. Later, the SUV overturned after hitting the boundary wall of a structure. The miscreants continued firing at those chasing them, but they were thwarted by the police and one of them was found dead.

The deceased was identified as Jagvir Singh Jagga of Desupura in Tarn Taran. He was known as a notorious gangster, drug smuggler and sharpshooter, against whom several cases were registered in Tarn Taran, Muktsar and Fazilka.

The police had seized an SUV, 0.9 mm US-made pistol, 20 cartridges, Rs 78,450 and a mobile phone. Officials said the gangster killed himself after finding no way to escape.

His aide, who was nabbed by the police, was identified as Jatinderpal Singh of Abohar. The police seized a .30 bore China-made pistol and 25 cartridges from him. Probe revealed that Jitender was a classmate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, and indicated that Lawrence had planned the attack on Prahlad over some enmity.