Amidst the ongoing drive against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in a joint operation with Barnala Police has nabbed the key operative of the Bambiha gang identified as Sukhwinder Khan and his three aides after a brief exchange of fire, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.
Other three arrested accused persons have been identified as Yadwinder Singh alias Ludan of Burra Patti in Mullanpur Dakha, Husanpreet Singh alias Gill of Jaid Patti in Longowal and Jagseer Singh alias Billa of Jaid Patti in Longowal. The Police teams recovered three pistols including two .30 bore along with 17 live cartridges and one .32 bore along with three live cartridges from their possession, besides, impounding a white-coloured Maruti Swift Car bearing registration number PB22X5258, in which they were travelling.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that a team of AGTF headed by ADGP Promod Ban got reliable input that criminals associated with the Bambiha gang are roaming in the jurisdiction of Barnala, following which, AIG AGTF Sandeep Goel alerted the Barnala Police and immediately dispatched police teams from AGTF Bathinda range to lay special naka at Handiaya Chowk in Barnala.
The naka was laid under the supervision of Barnala CIA Incharge Insp Baljit Singh, while, Sub-Inspector Kulwinder Singh along with the AGTF team joined the operation. “When the Police party signalled the swift car to stop, instead of stopping, the passengers sitting in the car opened fire at the police party, prompting Police parties to retaliate,” said DGP, while adding that during the exchange of fire accused Sukhwinder Khan sustained bullet injuries.
The injured accused has been undergoing treatment at a local hospital, he added. Sharing more details, AIG Sandeep Goel said that Sukhwinder Khan, a resident of Longowal is a notorious member of the Bambiha gang and is wanted by the Punjab Police in various criminal cases pertaining to the attempt to murder, extortion, etc. Further investigations are on, he said.
A case FIR no. 388 dated 9/8/2023 has been registered under sections 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Barnala.