JAISALMER: A fierce encounter took place early Thursday morning in Rajasthan's border district of Sri Ganganagar between the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Sadar Police, and a gangster linked to the notorious Rohit Godara gang. The accused sustained a bullet injury in his leg during the exchange of fire.
According to police, the gangster opened fire on the police team while attempting to escape. In self-defense, the police retaliated, injuring him in the leg. The encounter occurred near 17 ML Pathanwala in the Sadar police station area.
The injured gangster has been identified as Shakeel Ansari, a resident of Punjab and a close associate of the Rohit Godara gang. During a search, police recovered a pistol with a magazine, one live cartridge, and four spent cartridges that were allegedly fired at the police personnel. Following the encounter, Shakeel Ansari was admitted to the Sri Ganganagar District Hospital for treatment.
Superintendent of police (SP) Harishankar and other senior officers rushed to the spot. Heavy police deployment has been made at both the encounter site and the hospital. This is the third police encounter involving gangsters since SP Harishankar assumed charge of the district. Police believe Ansari had arrived in Sri Ganganagar to execute a criminal act. Further investigation is underway.
SP Harishankar Yadav said that the Sadar Police Station received a telephone tip-off early Thursday that a suspicious individual from Ludhiana, Punjab, was moving around Sri Ganganagar on a Platina motorcycle and could be planning a violent incident linked to recent extortion threat calls. Acting on the information, Sadar SHO inspector Subhash Chandra, along with his team, set up a blockade near Nathawala Bridge on Hanumangarh Road. AGTF in-charge inspector Ramvilas Bishnoi also joined the operation.
He said during the blockade, a Platina motorcycle approaching from the Hanumangarh side was signaled to stop. However, the rider broke through the barricade and sped toward the city. Police teams immediately began chasing him. As the chase continued along the link road leading from Nathawala Bridge toward Pathanwala, the suspect allegedly opened fire on the police vehicle and fired two rounds while riding the motorcycle.
SP said police said the biker later lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into thorny bushes near the roadside. He abandoned the bike and attempted to flee on foot toward the Barahmasi canal embankment. Despite repeated warnings to surrender, the accused allegedly fired two more rounds at the police team. When he continued firing and refused to surrender, police opened retaliatory fire in self-defense, hitting him below the calf of his right leg. He collapsed and was immediately taken to the government hospital for treatment.
Criminal Background
Police investigations have revealed that Shakeel Ansari, 26, son of Syed Ansari and a resident of Dhanda Khurd, Durga Colony, Ludhiana (Punjab), is an active member of the Rohit Godara gang. SP Harishankar said a case has been registered against him at Sadar Police Station, Sri Ganganagar, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. The investigation has been handed over to Jawahar Nagar SHO Devendra Singh.
Police seized four empty cartridge cases allegedly fired at the police team, a pistol with a magazine containing one live cartridge, and the motorcycle used by the accused.
Linked to Multiple Criminal Conspiracies
According to investigators, Ansari has been involved in several criminal conspiracies and violent activities linked to organized crime networks. Preliminary findings suggest his involvement in the firing on a medical businessman in Ludhiana, reconnaissance operations at multiple locations in Chandigarh, planning attacks using shooters in Delhi and Panchkula, arranging weapons and ammunition in Jaipur, and facilitating reconnaissance and firing plans in Sri Ganganagar. He is also suspected of providing logistical support, weapons, cash, hideouts, and assistance to shooters involved in various criminal incidents across different states.
Police said the gangster had allegedly come to Sri Ganganagar to carry out a firing incident, but the plan was foiled due to timely action by the police. The investigation is continuing.
