Yamunanagar Shootings: Three Youths Arrested After Police Encounter in Haryana
In a dramatic turn of events, three youths, including two juveniles, were apprehended by police following a confrontation near the Kasanpur region of Yamunanagar on Sunday morning. The arrests are connected to two separate shooting incidents that targeted a private hospital and a local mall in the district, sending shockwaves through the community.
Details of the Shooting Incidents
The violence unfolded on Saturday evening when three masked individuals entered a private hospital in Yamunanagar. Finding the reception area deserted, they discharged their firearms before fleeing the scene. Officials reported that the group fired approximately 13 to 14 rounds inside the hospital premises.
Shortly afterward, the same suspects fired another three to four shots outside a shopping center in the area. Fortunately, police confirmed that neither incident resulted in any fatalities, though the brazen attacks created significant panic among residents.
Police Response and Arrest Operation
Upon receiving alerts about the shootings, law enforcement authorities established multiple blockades and launched an intensive manhunt across the region. The breakthrough came on Sunday morning when police intercepted the trio traveling on a motorcycle near Kasanpur.
When officers attempted to box in the suspects, the youths reportedly opened fire on the police team. During the ensuing exchange of gunfire, two of the suspects sustained bullet wounds, while the third was injured when their motorcycle crashed during the attempted escape.
All three individuals were immediately transported to a hospital for medical treatment before being taken into formal custody. During the operation, police successfully seized two firearms—one foreign-made handgun and one locally crafted pistol—providing crucial evidence in the investigation.
Extortion Motive Revealed
Superintendent of Police Kamal Deep Goyal revealed to reporters that preliminary investigations suggest the shootings were related to extortion activities and attempts to create an atmosphere of fear in the community. The hospital owner had recently received extortion demands from unidentified gang members, and this threat had been formally reported to police authorities prior to the attack.
Security camera footage from the hospital clearly captured the three masked youths entering the facility, providing investigators with valuable visual evidence of the perpetrators.
Suspect Identities and Background
Police have identified the three detainees as including two minors from Karnal district and one adult identified as Gurlal Singh, a resident of Kurukshetra. The involvement of juveniles in such violent incidents has raised concerns about youth involvement in organized criminal activities in the region.
Political Reactions and Criticism
The shootings have sparked significant political controversy, with opposition parties launching sharp criticism against the Nayab Singh government in Haryana. Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned what he described as a decline in public safety under the current administration.
"The hospital had been threatened previously, yet the attack still occurred," Surjewala noted, arguing that such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent as criminals lose their fear of law enforcement.
AAP's national media coordinator, Anurag Dhanda, echoed these concerns in a social media post, stating: "The Nayab Singh government has turned the entire state of Haryana into a playground for criminals. In Yamunanagar, criminals are openly firing guns in the city without fear, and extortion demands are being made from businessmen in various places."
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the extortion network believed to be behind these attacks. The brazen nature of the shootings—targeting both a healthcare facility and a commercial center—has heightened concerns among local business owners and residents about safety and security in Yamunanagar district.
Police officials have assured the public that they are taking all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents and are thoroughly investigating any potential connections to broader criminal networks operating in the region.
