Chandigarh Realtor Murder: Gangsters Apprehended in Haryana After Intense 24-Hour Manhunt
In a high-stakes operation spanning two states, Punjab and Haryana police have successfully arrested two alleged gangsters involved in the brazen daylight murder of a realtor in Chandigarh. The suspects, identified as Rajan alias Piyush Pehalwan from Ferozepur and Pritam Shah from Nawanshehr, Punjab, were cornered and captured after a fierce gunfight in Haryana's Kaithal district on Thursday, nearly 24 hours after the shocking crime.
The Dramatic Escape and Distinctive Clue
Despite an immediate citywide dragnet launched after Wednesday's sensational murder in the heart of Chandigarh, the two gunmen managed to evade initial capture by crossing both city and Punjab borders, slipping into neighboring Haryana. Their escape was partially foiled by a very distinctive bag they carried throughout their flight—a bag prominently stamped with a shop's name that became a crucial visual clue for investigators.
CCTV footage captured this bag slung from their getaway motorcycle immediately after the murder, and police maintained visual tracking of this eye-catching item through subsequent highway footage. This distinctive accessory ultimately helped authorities narrow down their search area and track the suspects to their hideout.
The Fatal Shooting and Immediate Aftermath
The victim, 31-year-old realtor Chamanpreet Singh alias Chini Kubaheri, was leaving a popular gym in Sector 9 around noon on Wednesday when he was brutally attacked. As he sat in the driver's seat of his Toyota Fortuner, a gunman fired seven bullets through the passenger side window, then approached the vehicle and fired six more shots at point-blank range, face to face with the victim. Chamanpreet died instantly at the scene.
The assailant, wearing a red T-shirt and full-face helmet with a clear visor that allowed cameras to capture his facial features, immediately hopped onto a waiting motorcycle and sped off toward Mohali, Punjab. Police quickly obtained CCTV footage showing their escape route through Sector 42 and into Mohali.
The Multi-State Manhunt Intensifies
The murder—which occurred on one of Chandigarh's busiest roads—sent shockwaves through the city and prompted immediate action from law enforcement. Punjab's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) launched 'Operation Silent Trigger' to apprehend the accused, with multiple teams from Punjab Police joining the pursuit. Haryana police soon became involved in what became a coordinated cross-border manhunt.
The investigation gained significant momentum when the getaway motorcycle was discovered abandoned in Banur, approximately 22 kilometers south of Mohali and about an hour's drive from the murder site. This discovery narrowed the search parameters and intensified the hunt.
The Final Confrontation and Arrest
According to police sources, AGTF and Haryana's Special Task Force received specific intelligence indicating the accused were hiding in a hut in Chausala village, roughly 20 kilometers from Kaithal. Teams from both states launched a carefully coordinated joint operation and surprised the suspects at their hideout.
When ordered to surrender, the suspects allegedly opened fire on police officers, forcing law enforcement to retaliate in self-defense. Both Rajan and Pritam were shot in the legs during the exchange of gunfire. No police personnel sustained injuries in the encounter.
Three semi-automatic pistols were seized from the duo, including two .30 caliber weapons (one Turkish PX5 model and one Chinese-made pistol) and one .32 caliber pistol. The distinctive bag that had aided their tracking was also recovered from the hideout.
Medical Treatment and Criminal Backgrounds
The injured suspects were immediately transported to a hospital in Kalayat, located about 8 kilometers from the encounter site. Both underwent surgery for their bullet wounds, and doctors have confirmed they are out of immediate danger, according to police officials.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that both arrested individuals are alleged shooters working for gangster Lucky Patial of the notorious Bambiha gang. Rajan was additionally wanted in connection with the high-profile murder of Yadwinder Singh, who served as driver for Jiwanjot Singh alias Jugnu—a figure previously given a clean chit by police in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case.
Investigators revealed that Rajan had illegally re-entered India from Malaysia via Nepal, and both suspects have extensive criminal records as history-sheeters with multiple prior cases against them.
Ongoing Investigation and Accomplice Involvement
Preliminary investigations have uncovered that the accused received shelter from Sahil, a resident of Chausala village where they were ultimately apprehended. Authorities have registered a case against this individual and continue their investigation into the broader network behind the murder.
The successful conclusion of this 24-hour manhunt demonstrates improved coordination between Punjab and Haryana police forces in tackling interstate criminal activities, particularly those involving organized gang networks operating across state boundaries.
