Mohali Encounter Claims Life of Key Accused in Kabaddi Player Murder
Police in Mohali gunned down Karan Pathak, the main shooter in the murder of kabaddi player-promoter Rana Balachauriya, during an encounter on Saturday. Pathak, who had escaped from police custody just hours earlier, died after exchanging fire with officers near his native village.
Dramatic Escape Precedes Fatal Shootout
Karan Pathak made a daring escape from police custody on Friday night despite being handcuffed. According to authorities, Pathak complained of chest pain while being held at the CIA staff headquarters in Mohali. A police team was transporting him to a hospital in Kharar when the incident unfolded.
The vehicle carrying Pathak lost control and crashed into a road divider after he began scuffling with officers inside. When police personnel exited the vehicle to assess the situation, Pathak somehow freed himself from his restraints and sprinted away into the night.
Massive Manhunt Ends in Violent Confrontation
Senior officers immediately launched a massive search operation involving police teams from Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Ropar districts. After seven intense hours of searching, authorities received information that Pathak was hiding near his native village Rurki in Mullanpur.
When a police team located Pathak and attempted to surround him, the situation turned violent. Pathak allegedly tried to escape and opened fire on the police officers, firing six to seven rounds from a .30 bore pistol. During the exchange, one police personnel sustained a bullet injury.
Police returned fire, hitting Pathak. Officers rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors referred him to a government facility where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Weapon Recovery and Investigation Underway
Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans confirmed that police recovered the pistol from Pathak after the encounter. Authorities are now investigating how the accused managed to procure the weapon during the six to seven hours he remained on the run.
Police have registered separate FIRs in connection with both the escape and the subsequent encounter. This development marks the second encounter linked to the Rana Balachauriya murder case. On December 17, 2025, another key accused, Harpinder Singh alias Middu, was shot dead in Lalru, Mohali. That earlier exchange of fire injured two head constables, Gulab Singh and Kumar Sharma.
Background of the Case
Karan Pathak, who police referred to as a "defaulter," was the main shooter in the murder of kabaddi player-promoter Rana Balachauriya. The killing occurred during a tournament approximately one month ago. Police arrested Pathak from Howrah, West Bengal, on January 12 and had kept him at the CIA staff headquarters for security reasons until his escape.
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading to Pathak's escape and subsequent death. Police are examining all aspects of how a handcuffed suspect managed to break free and obtain a firearm while evading capture for several hours.
