Sidhu Moosewala had 2 security personnel, private bulletproof vehicle; he travelled without them: Punjab DGP Bhawra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 29

Hours after Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala shot dead in Mansa district, Punjab DGP VK Bhawra on Sunday evening said Moosewala had a private bulletproof car but he chose not to travel in it today.

He had four guards, of which two were withdrawn, but he did not take them along this evening, Bhawra said.

The DGP added that the security cover was withdrawn yesterday as additional force was needed due to Operation Bluestar anniversary and Ghalughara week in June.

The DGP said 30 bullets were fired at Moosewala’s Thar car and "30 empty cases from different guns have been found".

Meanwhile, on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab VK Bhawra, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bathinda Range Pardeep Yadav constituted three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure effective and speedy investigation of the murder of Shubhdeep Singh alias Sidhu Moosewala.

The SIT members include SP investigation Mansa Dharamveer Singh, DSP Investigation Bathinda Vishawajeet Singh and Incharge CIA Mansa Prithipal Singh.

Sidhu Moosewala, who left his house around 4.30 pm along with two persons — neighbour Gurwinder Singh and cousin Gurpreet Singh — was shot dead by some unidentified persons. Shubhdeep Singh was driving his Mahindra Thar vehicle.

DGP VK Bhawra told mediapersons that when Sidhu Moosewala reached Jawahar Ke village, they were followed by a white Corolla and they were intercepted from the front by two cars, including white Bolero and a dark grey Scorpio.

“There was heavy firing from the front on Sidhu Moosewala and his friends, where all sustained bullet injuries,” he said, adding that the police team reached at the spot immediately and trio were taken to Civil Hospital, Mansa, where Sidhu Moosewala was declared brought dead, while his cousin and his friend are in stable condition, and they have been referred to Patiala for further treatment.

On withdrawal of Sidhu’s security, the DGP said in view of Ghallughara week, the police had temporarily withdrawn only two security personnel of Sidhu Moosewala for law and order duty, while he had two police personnel from Commando Battalion deployed with him. “While leaving home today, Sidhu didn’t take along his two police personnel and also left his private bullet-proof car at home,” he said.

The DGP said, prima facie, it seems to be an inter-gang rivalry between Lawrence Bishnoi Group and Lucky Patial group. “Lawrence Bishnoi group has taken the responsibility of Sidhu Mooswala’s murder citing it as retaliation to the killing of Vicky Middukhera,” he said.

Pertinently, three shooters identified as Sunny, Anil Lath and Bholu, all resident of Haryana have already been arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with the murder of Vicky Middukhera, while, another accused identified as Shaganpreet, who was manager of Sidhu Moosewala was also named accused in the FIR registered regarding the murder of Vicky. Shaganpreet has escaped to Australia and is wanted by the Police.

The DGP said preliminary investigations revealed that three weapons, including 7.62mm, 9 mm and 0.30 bore weapons, were used in the crime. It is still under investigation, he added.

Meanwhile, the DGP directed IG Bathinda range Pradeep Yadav, SSP Mansa Gaurav Toora and SSP Bathinda J Elanchezian to camp in Mansa, while ADGP (Law and Order) has mobilised the required force to nab the murderers of Sidhu Moosewala.

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