Five arrested in connection with firing at advocate’s house

The Jalandhar police have arrested five persons linked to the recent shooting at the residence of advocate Gurmohar Singh on September 9. Of the five, two were apprehended after an encounter involving a hot chase and crossfire, during which they were critically injured. The operation also led to the recovery of a cache of illegal arms, ammunition and cash.

The operation began after a complaint was filed by local resident Shankar, who said he was robbed at gunpoint by two unidentified persons. According to Shankar, the assailants were armed with a pistol and they fled the scene after firing shots into the air.

An FIR was lodged on September 12 under various sections of the BNS and the Arms Act at the Basti Bawa Khel police station. Following the complaint, the Jalandhar police initiated an extensive search operation.

The breakthrough came when officers spotted two suspects at the Leather Complex Waryana. Upon approaching them, the suspects opened fire on the police team. One bullet struck the windshield of a police vehicle, grazing an officer’s bulletproof jacket, while another damaged the car’s headlight. Despite the police issuing repeated warnings, the suspects continued firing as they fled into a nearby plot under the cover of darkness. In the ensuing crossfire, both suspects were critically injured.

During the subsequent arrest, police seized a .32-bore pistol, one cartridge and an empty shell from Dhruv. Pawan was found in possession of a .315-bore desi katta, one cartridge, an empty shell, a motorcycle and Rs 11,000 in cash.

At a press conference, Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma revealed that further investigation linked Dhruv and Pawan to the shooting at advocate Gurmohar Singh’s house.

On September 9, both Dhruv and Pawan, acting on orders from Gopa, a Canada-based handler, fired shots at the house of Gurmohar, recorded the act and sent the video to Gopa. For this, they were paid Rs 25,000, with an additional Rs 25,000 promised.

The police also arrested three other individuals involved in the crime. Surinder Pal Singh, Satbir Singh and Jatinder Singh had allegedly supplied the weapons used in the shooting. A .32-bore pistol and 10 cartridges were seized from them.

Additionally, four more persons, including foreign-based handlers suspected of facilitating financial transactions, have been named in the case. Those identified include Gopa, now residing in Canada, Damanpreet Singh, Paramvir Singh and Shubam, who is currently based in the USA. “Investigations are ongoing to bring these individuals to justice,” said CP Sharma.