Punjab Police Encounter: 19-Year-Old Suspect in Cop Killings Shot Dead in Gurdaspur
In a dramatic overnight operation, Punjab police shot dead a 19-year-old youth in an encounter on Wednesday in Gurdaspur district. The deceased, identified as Ranjit Singh, was allegedly involved in the February 21 killing of two policemen near the Pakistan border. This incident marks a significant development in the high-profile case that has raised serious security concerns in the border region.
Details of the Encounter and Suspects
Sandeep Goel, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Border Range, provided crucial details about the suspects and the operation. According to the DIG, the primary suspects are Ranjit Singh (the deceased) and Dilawar Singh, both teenagers hailing from Adhiya village. A third suspect, 21-year-old Inderjit Singh from Ali Nangal, is believed to be the recruiter and handler and remains at large.
The DIG revealed that Inderjit Singh was in direct contact with ISI handlers in Pakistan. He allegedly recruited Ranjit and Dilawar with the explicit objective of targeting police personnel to spread terror and disturb communal harmony in the area. This revelation underscores the cross-border dimensions of the threat.
Chain of Events Leading to the Encounter
The sequence of events began when, based on Ranjit Singh's confession, police took him to recover a hidden weapon around 3 AM. Due to extremely heavy fog, the police vehicle overturned, allowing Ranjit to escape. Four police officers sustained injuries in the crash. Following a rigorous two-hour search operation, police traced Ranjit to the Purana Shala area in Gurdaspur district.
Upon confrontation, Ranjit opened fire, wounding CIA in-charge Inspector Gurmeet Singh. In retaliation, police returned fire, fatally wounding Ranjit, who later succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The DIG noted that investigations are ongoing into how a motorcycle suddenly appeared at the scene and the origin of the weapon used by Ranjit.
Background: The February 21 Police Killings
This encounter directly follows the brutal Saturday night killings of ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar. The two officers were shot dead inside a police post in Adhiya village, located barely one kilometer from the international border. According to the DIG's account, Ranjit and Inderjit arrived at the post on Dilawar's motorcycle to execute the attack and later spent the night at Dilawar's home.
Police have recovered a .30-bore pistol from the scene. When questioned about the financial motives, the DIG stated that details regarding how much money the assailants were paid would only emerge after the arrest of Inderjit. However, authorities believe the youths were promised a hefty amount for their involvement in the terror plot.
Current Status and Ongoing Manhunt
While one accomplice, Dilawar Singh, has been arrested, the suspected mastermind, Inderjit Singh, remains absconding. The police are intensifying their efforts to apprehend him to unravel the full extent of the conspiracy and the network behind it. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of border security and the recruitment of local youths by external terror handlers.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and robust counter-terrorism measures in sensitive border districts like Gurdaspur.
