In a significant development, a wanted gangster connected to the high-profile murder of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) village head was killed in a police encounter in Punjab's Tarn Taran district. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, bringing a violent end to a manhunt that had gripped the region.
The Fatal Encounter in Sarhali Kalan
The police operation targeted Sukhpreet Singh, alias Budda, a notorious figure with multiple criminal cases. According to official reports, a special police team acted on specific intelligence regarding Budda's whereabouts. The confrontation took place in Sarhali Kalan village under the jurisdiction of the Sarhali police station.
Authorities state that the encounter erupted when Sukhpreet Singh opened fire on the approaching police party. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the gangster sustained critical bullet injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead by doctors upon arrival. No police personnel were harmed during the operation.
Link to the Murder of AAP Sarpanch Dalbir Singh
The elimination of Sukhpreet Singh holds major political and law-and-order implications. Police investigations had firmly established his involvement in the brutal murder of Dalbir Singh, the elected sarpanch (village head) of Dhilwan village in Tarn Taran. Dalbir Singh, a member of the ruling AAP, was shot dead in February this year, an act that had sent shockwaves through the state's political landscape.
Budda was not just a suspect but was identified as a key accused in the murder case. His criminal dossier extended beyond this, with seven other serious cases registered against him, painting a picture of a seasoned criminal involved in various unlawful activities.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Actions
Following the encounter, senior police officials secured the scene for a thorough forensic examination. The police have launched a comprehensive probe into the exact circumstances of the shootout. Standard procedure in such cases involves a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the facts.
The killing of Sukhpreet Singh marks a crucial breakthrough in the Dalbir Singh murder investigation. It is expected to provide the police with new leads and potentially disrupt the network behind the assassination. The police have emphasized their continued crackdown on gangsters and criminals operating in the state, especially those targeting public representatives.
This incident underscores the volatile law-and-order challenges in parts of Punjab, where political violence and gangland activities occasionally intersect. The swift, albeit fatal, police action is likely to be presented as a strong message against such criminal elements.
