M A I N   N E W S

Kin of militants held with AK-47s
Used them for looting, robberies
Pawan Kumar

Amritsar, August 19
In a significant recovery, two AK-47 rifles, three magazines and 56 live cartridges were seized by the police with the arrest of three persons near Mianpur under Sarai Amanat Khan police station, about 30 km, from here today morning. Two of the arrested are relatives of militants.

The arrested include Gurbhej Singh, alias Bheja of Cheema Kalan, brother of Kashmir Singh Shera who belonged to the Panjwar group. He was killed in a police encounter during terrorism. Another of the arrested is Manjinder Singh, alias Manna, also a relative of a hardcore militant who had surrendered to the police. Both of them along with Lakhwinder Singh, alias Lakha of Khiala Kalan village, used these old arms which were still in working condition, for lootings, robberies and dacoity.

While displaying the weapons, Mr Kultar Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, appealed to the people to disclose such illegal weapons through their respective panchayats. He further said no legal action would be taken against such persons.

Giving details he said on August 12, the Sarai Amanat Khan police received information that the accused were planning a robbery on Independence Day when the police would be busy making security arrangements. However, their attempts were thwarted.

Early today, the SSP said, while the accused were going to Mianpur village from Kasel village, the police team headed by SHO Nirlep Singh set up a naka on a tip-off. About 5.30 a.m., when the police asked them to stop, the accused started firing. Following this they were surrounded and forced to surrender.

One of the accused, Gurbhej Singh, was earlier jailed for looting Rs 5 lakh in 1999. After completing his term he regrouped and started again. The district police chief said further investigations in the case were still on and more recoveries were expected after the investigation. A case under Section 307, 34 IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered.