Police Nab Alleged Mastermind in Dramatic Exchange of Fire
In a significant breakthrough, Punjab police have arrested the alleged mastermind behind the brutal murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer Naveen Arora. The arrest occurred late Wednesday following a dramatic exchange of fire on Arifke Road near Sodhiwala village in Ferozepur district.
The suspect, identified as Gursimran alias Jatin Kali, attempted to flee from a police checkpoint but was apprehended after being injured in retaliatory fire. According to Ferozepur SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, the incident unfolded when police noticed a motorcycle rider ignoring signals to stop at a checkpoint.
Violent Confrontation Leads to Arrest
"Our team established checkpoints across the district following earlier arrests in the case. At one naka on Arifke Road, we spotted a fast-moving motorcycle coming from the Sodhiwala direction. The rider disregarded our stop signal and attempted to escape," SSP Sidhu explained during a press briefing.
As police pursued the motorcycle, the rider allegedly opened fire, with one bullet striking the mirror of the police vehicle and narrowly missing the driver. The police personnel returned fire, injuring the rider in his feet and causing him to fall from the motorcycle.
The police recovered a .32 bore pistol from the arrested individual and have sent it for ballistic examination to determine if it was used in the November 15 murder of Naveen Arora.
Plot Unfolds: Birthday Meeting Turned Conspiracy
Investigations reveal that Kali, a native of Badhri Jaimal Singh village who had been living in Basti Bhattian Wali, Ferozepur, allegedly orchestrated Arora's killing. The police have uncovered that a meeting was convened on November 13 at the residence of co-accused Kannav, where the group had gathered under the pretext of celebrating a birthday.
During this meeting, the police claim the murder was planned in detail. Two teams were formed for the execution: one comprising Kannav and Harsh (both arrested earlier on Wednesday), and the other consisting of Badal and his accomplice, who remain at large.
Both teams reportedly conducted reconnaissance of Arora's daily routine starting from November 13, with Kannav and Harsh designated as the backup team.
Shooters Still at Large Despite Intensive Manhunt
Even after five days since the murder, the primary shooters identified as Badal and his unidentified accomplice continue to evade capture. CCTV footage from November 15 shows Badal and his associate conducting final reconnaissance in Ferozepur's main bazaar just an hour before the murder.
The police had identified Badal through facial recognition technology, noting he was wearing a white hoodie in the footage. His accomplice, seen in a black jacket, has been identified but not publicly named yet.
In their pursuit of the shooters, police rounded up Badal's family for questioning on Sunday, hoping to gather leads about his whereabouts.
The Tragic Incident: November 15 Murder
The murder occurred on November 15 when 32-year-old Naveen Arora, son of senior RSS leader Baldev Raj Arora, was targeted while returning home on his motorcycle. Two assailants on another motorcycle fired at him near the Baba Noor Shah Wali dargah.
One bullet struck Arora in the head, causing critical injuries. He was rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Arora ran a dupatta shop in Ferozepur's main market and was an active RSS volunteer.
SSP Sidhu confirmed that intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest Badal and his accomplice, believed to be the actual shooters in the case. The police have intensified checking and installed multiple checkpoints across the district to apprehend the remaining accused.
All arrested individuals have been remanded to police custody for further investigation as authorities work to establish the complete sequence of events and possible motives behind the targeted killing.
