Two of Lawrence Bishnoi gang held after shootout in Jalandhar

Jalandhar, January 21

In a swift operation based on intelligence inputs, the Jalandhar Commissionerate of Police has arrested two members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang after a crossfire on the Nakodar road this morning.

They were identified as Nitin from Jalandhar and Ashish from Hoshiarpur’s Bullowal village. A police officer sustained minor injuries during the intense exchange of fire when a bullet grazed his turban, but he was later confirmed to be in good health.

Planned targeted killings

• Both Nitin and Ashish had been assigned the task of carrying out two targeted killings in Jalandhar by gangster Jasmeet, alias Lucky
• The duo had conducted a recce of the intended targets. Nitin and Ashish, who were injured in the crossfiring were admitted to a hospital

The police seized two .30 bore pistols and ammunition from their possession. A car used by the gangsters was also seized. The operation, aimed at thwarting two planned contract killings in Jalandhar, unfolded as the police received information about the movement of the gang members within the city. Acting on a tip-off, the police surrounded the car on the Nakodar road near Gulmohar Colony, leading to an encounter.

Both Nitin and Ashish, who were critically injured during the crossfire, were taken to a hospital. The police confirmed that the duo had been assigned the task of carrying out two target killings in Jalandhar by gangster Jasmeet, alias Lucky, and they had conducted a recce of the intended targets.

CP Swapan Sharma said both gangsters were in constant touch with Lucky of Bullowal village, who is in the USA. He had more than 10 cases against him. He said Lucky was the same person, who had provided shelter to gangsters Mandeep Mannu and Jagroop Rupa (who were killed in a police encounter in Amritsar) involved in the killing of Sidhu Moosewala.

Sharma said Ashish, a proclaimed offender, had numerous cases related to murder, extortion and target killings against him. Nitin, on the other hand, was facing charges of murder and drug smuggling. He said both Ashish and Nitin were also closely linked to Binny Gujjar and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

He added that a case had been registered against them under Sections 353,186,307 of the IPC, and 25 of the Arms Act, with further investigation under way to uncover more details.