Police foil targeted killing plot, gun down criminal

The police on Thursday claimed to have averted a major targeted killing after a brief encounter late on Wednesday night, resulting in the death of a notorious criminal linked to Pakistan-based ISI handlers and foreign operatives.

Acting on a tip-off about movement of criminal elements in the Chheharta area, the anti-gangster wing of the police had set up check-points to intercept the suspects on Wednesday. Around midnight, a police team spotted two suspects on a motorcycle, identified as gangster Harjinder Singh and Sunny.

When signalled to stop, the duo allegedly turned around and opened indiscriminate fire at the police team. The police issued warnings and even fired in the air, but the assailants continued to shoot, with bullets reportedly striking a police vehicle. In retaliatory fire, Harjinder sustained serious injuries while his accomplice fled under the cover of darkness. The injured was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed.

Harjinder, who had been released from jail on November 7, was suspected to be planning a targeted killing.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said during preliminary examination, Harjinder’s mobile phone revealed multiple virtual foreign numbers, indicating active communication with Pakistan-based ISI handlers and foreign gangsters. The police also believe the weapons recovered were recently refurbished and possibly smuggled through Pakistan-backed networks.

A Glock pistol with cartridges, a 30-bore pistol and a motorcycle were recovered from the spot.

Following the encounter, the police registered two FIRs under relevant sections of the BNS and the Arms Act for further legal action.

A search operation had been launched to trace Sunny, who ran away after the incident, Bhullar said.