Ludhiana: In a brazen act of intimidation, a revenge-seeking armed gang targeted a local family twice within 14 hours, vandalizing two homes, smashing vehicles, and firing gunshots in a bid to force the withdrawal of a police complaint. The Model Town police have launched a manhunt for 16 suspects following the coordinated assault in Ambedkar Nagar.
Attack Details
According to investigators, the gang aimed to terrorize Harjinder Singh into retracting a police report filed in May after the suspects allegedly thrashed him. Harjinder Singh's sister-in-law, Chetna, recounted the harrowing incidents.
The first attack occurred at 3:30 am on Tuesday, targeting Chetna's parents' home. Armed with knives and sticks, the assailants repeatedly struck the locked main gate, hurled abuses, and smashed neighbors' parked motorcycles before fleeing.
The gang returned at 5:30 pm, breaking into Chetna's marital home while she, her mother-in-law, and her five-month-old infant were inside. "The accused barged into our house and vandalized everything, from the wardrobe to the air-conditioner, furniture, appliances, and vehicles," Chetna said. "They also fired multiple gunshots before fleeing."
Police Response
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Dev Singh confirmed that these armed raids were directly linked to extortion over the pending criminal case. "The accused attacked these homes solely to pressure the family into dropping the charges," he said. "We have registered a fresh case."
Police have charged the 16 men under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal intimidation, rioting, and armed trespass, alongside violations of the Arms Act.
Ongoing Investigation
A manhunt is underway to apprehend the suspects, who remain at large. The police are reviewing CCTV footage and gathering evidence to build a strong case against the accused. The family has been provided with security, and authorities are ensuring their safety.
This incident highlights the growing issue of organized intimidation in the region, with law enforcement taking a firm stance against such criminal activities.
