An accused who had allegedly snatched a self-loading rifle (SLR) from a Punjab Armed Police (PAP) jawan six days ago was injured in an encounter with the Fazilka police on Saturday. The stolen weapon was also recovered from his possession.
Encounter Details
Fazilka Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gagan Ajit Singh stated that the police control room received information about an armed individual roaming near the Ladhuka seepage drain area. The suspect was believed to be planning a strike in the region.
According to official sources, when a police team arrived at the scene, the accused opened fire on the officers. In retaliatory firing, the suspect, identified as Shamsher Singh, a resident of the Makhu area in Ferozepur district, sustained a bullet injury in his leg.
He was immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital in Fazilka for medical treatment.
Background of the Case
Police sources revealed that Shamsher Singh and his accomplices had allegedly snatched the SLR from a PAP jawan deployed at Harike Bridge in the Tarn Taran area. The accused reportedly assaulted the jawan with sharp-edged weapons before fleeing with the rifle.
The police further disclosed that the accused is already facing four to five criminal cases, including those registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and for snatching-related offenses.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation to apprehend any remaining accomplices and to determine if the accused was involved in other criminal activities. The recovery of the SLR is a significant breakthrough for the police, who have been actively pursuing the case since the initial snatching incident.
