Two aides of gangster held after encounter in Tarn Taran

Two associates of foreign-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal were arrested after a brief encounter in the Valtoha area on Monday night. One pistol, some live cartridges and empty bullet shells were seized from them. The injured have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

SSP Abhimanyu Rana said on Tuesday said that the arrested associates of the gangster were identified as Karanpreet Singh, alias Karan, of Toot village and Gurlaljit Singh, alias Laali, of Bhangala village.

They were running an extortion racket on the directions of Dasuwal, who is associated with the Ghanshyampuria gang.

The SSP said the arrested persons were involved in two firing incidents that took place over the past around one month.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by SP (Investigation) Ajayraj Singh, DSP (Investigation) Rajinder Minhas and Bhikhiwind DSP Preet Inder Singh tracked them. They were signalled to stop at a checkpost in Valtoha, but the duo opened fire on the police. They were injured in the retaliatory fire by the police. Karanpreet has a criminal history and was wanted by the police in some criminal cases.

The Valtoha police have registered a case under Sections 109, 132, 221 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 25(6)(7) of the Arms Act.