A dangerous confrontation between law enforcement and illegal mining networks in Punjab turned violent and high-tech on Sunday, with a government informant surviving a brazen assassination attempt. The assailants used a drone for surveillance before opening fire, marking a severe escalation in the region's ongoing "mining wars."
High-Tech Hunt for a Witness
The Ropar police have registered an attempted murder case based on the complaint of Sandeep Kumar Rana, a key witness providing intelligence to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Rana alleged that a prominent mining operator, Baljinder Singh, along with four associates, arrived at his property in Khera Kalmot village in an SUV.
In a sophisticated and planned move, the group allegedly deployed a drone to conduct reconnaissance of Rana's building. They used the aerial device to monitor his movements in real-time to coordinate their attack. The situation turned deadly when Baljinder Singh reportedly fired two gunshots at Rana. Miraculously, the informant escaped without injury, while the attackers fled, abandoning the drone at the scene. Forensic teams have since seized the device as crucial evidence.
Retaliation for Aiding Major Crackdown
In his statement to investigators, Sandeep Kumar Rana stated that the attack was direct retaliation for his role as an ED informer. His confidential testimony to the Jalandhar-based federal agency had recently led to a significant crackdown on Baljinder Singh's illegal mining operations. This crackdown resulted in the attachment of substantial movable and immovable properties belonging to the accused.
This incident is not an isolated case of witness intimidation. Police confirmed that Baljinder Singh was already booked in September 2025 for the attempted murder of another ED-linked witness, Gurmeet Singh, in Ludhiana. The mining operator, who has interests across Ropar, Ludhiana, and Nawanshahr districts, has a violent criminal history with 15 prior cases registered against him, including charges under the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Pattern of Violence Raises Alarm
The recurring nature of these targeted attacks on individuals assisting investigative agencies has sparked serious concerns about witness protection. It highlights the grave risks faced by civilians who help central and state agencies in probes related to high-value money laundering and environmental crimes like illegal mining.
Nangal's Station House Officer (SHO), Simranjit Singh, confirmed the recovery of the drone and the registration of a case under multiple sections of the BNS, including attempted murder and criminal intimidation. "The accused fled after the firing. We are investigating all aspects, including the drone data and the ballistic evidence, thoroughly," the SHO stated. A manhunt is currently underway to apprehend Baljinder Singh and his unidentified associates.
The use of technology like drones by criminal syndicates to track and target whistleblowers presents a new and complex challenge for authorities in Punjab, signaling a dangerous evolution in the tactics of organized crime involved in the lucrative illegal mining trade.
