Main Shooter in Kabaddi Promoter Murder Killed in Police Encounter
Karan Defaulter, the main shooter in the murder of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauriya, met his end in a police encounter on Tuesday morning. The dramatic shootout unfolded on Airport Road in village Roorkhi Kham, near the cricket stadium in Mullanpur area of New Chandigarh.
Early Morning Firefight
The encounter began around 7 a.m. and lasted for approximately half an hour. According to police reports, Karan Defaulter was armed with a .30-bore pistol. He fired six to seven rounds at the police team. Officers responded with about nine rounds of retaliatory fire.
Karan sustained gunshot wounds during the crossfire. Authorities rushed him to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he was declared dead. Senior Superintendent of Police Hans confirmed these details to reporters.
Dramatic Escape from Custody
This encounter followed Karan's dramatic escape from police custody just days earlier. On Friday night, CIA staff had taken him into custody to recover a .30-bore pistol. During this process, Karan feigned severe chest pains.
While being transported to Kharar Hospital for medical treatment, he launched a sudden attack on police officer Jaswinder. Using his handcuffs as a weapon, Karan injured the officer and managed to flee the scene. Police registered an FIR at Kharar police station regarding this escape incident.
Massive Manhunt and Final Confrontation
After his escape, Karan remained at large for six to seven hours. Police launched an extensive search operation involving teams from multiple districts including Mohali, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, and Ropar Ranges.
On Tuesday morning, authorities received specific intelligence about Karan's location in the Mullanpur area. Police immediately laid a trap to apprehend him. During the ensuing siege, Karan opened fire on the police team, forcing officers to return fire in self-defense.
Ongoing Investigations
Police are now investigating several crucial aspects of this case:
- Who assisted Karan Defaulter during his escape from custody
- The circumstances surrounding his ability to obtain weapons
- His movements during the period he remained at large
- Possible connections to other criminal activities
A separate FIR is being filed regarding Tuesday's encounter. The investigation into Rana Balachauriya's murder continues, with authorities examining all possible angles and connections.
This case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the original crime and the dramatic circumstances surrounding Karan Defaulter's escape and subsequent death. The police operation involved multiple agencies working across district boundaries to track down the fugitive.
