Two Gangster-Linked Men Injured in Police Encounter in Patiala
Two young men allegedly connected to a notorious gangster sustained injuries during a police encounter near Dalanpur village in Patiala on Monday. Police officials confirmed the incident, stating the men were intercepted while planning a major crime.
Weapons Seized and Gang Links Revealed
Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma provided details about the seized weapons. From Devinder Singh, aged 20 and a resident of Chamkaur Sahib, police recovered a .30-bore pistol along with four spent cartridges and two live rounds. From his accomplice Anuj Kumar, aged 21 and also from Chamkaur Sahib, authorities confiscated a .32-bore pistol, three spent cartridges, and one live round.
SSP Sharma identified both youths as working for gangster Gurpreet Singh, commonly known as Goldy Dhillon. He directly linked them to a shooting incident from December last year. In that attack, the duo allegedly shot a 70-year-old man as part of an extortion plot targeting his son living in the United States.
Police Operation and Exchange of Fire
Sharma explained that police received credible intelligence indicating Devinder and Anuj were preparing to execute a significant criminal act. Multiple teams from the Crime Investigation Agency were immediately deployed to track and apprehend the suspects.
The operation culminated at a police checkpoint near Dalanpur village. Officers intercepted the two men as they rode a motorcycle. According to the SSP, the suspects dismounted their vehicle and opened fire on the police team before officers could restrain them. Bullets struck the police vehicle twice during the initial assault.
Police personnel returned fire in self-defense, injuring both Devinder Singh and Anuj Kumar. The injured men received immediate medical attention and were transported to Government Rajindra Hospital for treatment. Authorities have registered a fresh case against them at the Patiala Sadar police station.
Connection to December 2025 Shooting Incident
This encounter connects directly to a violent incident that occurred on December 12, 2025. Unidentified assailants opened fire at the residence of 70-year-old Darshan Singh in Gaddomajra village, Rajpura, seriously wounding the elderly man. Rajpura police station registered a case following the attack.
Through technical surveillance and intelligence gathering, investigators determined that Goldy Dhillon allegedly orchestrated the shooting. The gangster targeted Darshan Singh's family as part of an extortion scheme. SSP Sharma provided chilling details of the December attack.
Darshan Singh was walking toward his barn when three masked men on a motorcycle fired five to six rounds at him. One bullet struck the elderly man in the abdomen. The attackers fled the scene with their weapons and vehicle immediately after the shooting. Police formally registered the case on December 13, 2025.
Extortion Motive Behind the Violence
Sharma revealed the extortion angle driving these violent incidents. Darshan Singh's son resides in the United States, and Goldy Dhillon attempted to extort money from him. When the family did not comply with the gangster's demands, Dhillon allegedly ordered the shooting to terrorize them into submission.
Police continue their investigation to trace other members of Goldy Dhillon's gang. The encounter near Dalanpur represents a significant development in cracking down on this extortion network operating in the Patiala region.
