5 arrested with pistols in Patiala

The police yesterday claimed to have foiled a major crime with the arrest of five members of a gang. Five loaded pistols were recovered from their possession.

The police said four of the accused had been to jail earlier in separate cases.

Addressing the media, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh said a team, under the supervision of SP (investigation) Yogesh Sharma and led by CIA In-charge Shaminder Singh, arrested the five accused near Sanaur while they were planning to commit a crime in the city.

“We have arrested Gursewak Singh, Sukhvir Singh, Harbans Singh and Sukhwinder Singh, all from Mansa; and Sandeep Singh of Muktsar,” said SSP Nanak Singh. Barring Sukhwinder, the accused had a criminal background and had been to jail in cases related to murder, attempt to murder, drugs, snatching and extortion, the SSP said.

“Two of the accused were recently involved in a firing incident in Patran and were named in the FIR,” said CIA In-charge Shaminder Singh. “We will question them regarding their links with other criminals and the supply of weapons found in their possession,” he said.