Ludhiana Police Uncover Major Drug Ring After Fierce Firefight Near Lohara Bridge
Police in Ludhiana confirmed on Monday that the four individuals who opened fire on officers near the Lohara bridge on Saturday evening were active drug peddlers transporting a significant narcotics consignment. This weekend's intense encounter between the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and a group of suspected traffickers has exposed a major heroin delivery ring operating in the vicinity of the Sidhwan Canal area.
Dramatic Encounter and Seizure
Officials reported seizing a substantial 305 grams of heroin along with an illegal .32-bore pistol from the scene of the confrontation. The incident began when an ANTF team, under the leadership of assistant sub-inspector Sukhdev Singh, signaled a suspicious vehicle to halt at a designated checkpoint. The driver attempted a reckless high-speed U-turn maneuver but found himself blocked by heavy oncoming traffic.
As officers advanced to detain the vehicle's occupants, one suspect, identified as Taranpreet Singh, allegedly exited the car and immediately opened fire on the approaching police personnel. "Retaliating to the direct attack, our team discharged two gunshots, one of which struck the assailant in the torso," stated an ANTF official. "The suspects were subsequently apprehended without further incident."
Legal Charges and Criminal Histories
The Sadar police station has formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) against all four individuals: Taranpreet Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Surinder Singh, and Sukhpreet Singh. The charges filed against them are comprehensive and severe, including multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Section 109 (attempt to commit murder)
- Section 132 (assault to deter a public servant from discharging their duty)
- Section 221 (voluntarily obstructing a public servant in the execution of their duty)
Additionally, they face charges under Section 25 of the Arms Act for possession and use of illegal firearms. Investigating officer ASI Kapil Kumar revealed that the group consists of repeat offenders with existing criminal records under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. One suspect, Sukhpreet Singh, had previously been arrested in connection with the seizure of 20 kilograms of poppy husk, indicating a pattern of narcotics-related activities.
Interrogation Revelations and Ongoing Investigation
During detailed interrogation, the accused individuals confessed they were actively en route to deliver the heroin consignment when they encountered the police checkpoint. ASI Kapil Kumar emphasized: "The interrogation has provided crucial insights into their operations and intended delivery network." Taranpreet Singh currently remains under strict police guard at a local hospital where he is receiving medical treatment for his gunshot injuries.
The remaining three suspects are in police custody as authorities continue their investigation into the broader supply chain and connections of this alleged drug trafficking network. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating organized narcotics distribution in the region.
