Haryana Police guns down two shooters, hours after man shot dead in Karnal

Biru’s murder on Wednesday night triggered massive protests by his family and Valmiki community members. Karnal police said the encounter took place around midnight when teams intercepted the two suspects riding a motorcycle near the canal. As the suspects tried to turn back after spotting a police barricade, they allegedly lost control of the bike and opened fire at the police.

“One bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of Sub-Inspector Manoj Kumar, while another hit the jacket of the CIA-1 in-charge. The accused were warned to surrender but continued firing, prompting retaliatory action,” an investigating officer said.

Police claimed nearly 25 rounds were exchanged before both the suspects were killed. A forensic team later reached the spot and collected samples.

Inspector General (Karnal Range) Ashok Kumar said, “Police teams were alerted after receiving intelligence regarding the suspects’ movements. The suspects were given an opportunity to surrender but instead allegedly opened fire on police, resulting in retaliatory firing in which both suspects were killed.”

Referring to the Biru, the IG told The Indian Express that “he was also a criminal and had a rivalry with other gangsters. They used to threaten each other on social media. Further investigations are going on.”

A resident of Sadar Bazaar, Biru had left his home on his two wheeler around 9 pm Wednesday to visit sister. He was riding via the Bhagwadia Gas Agency road when two men riding a motorbike allegedly opened fire at point-blank range before fleeing. Biru sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Some lacls took him to Karnal Medical College Hospital from where he was referred to Amritdhara Hospital, where he died during treatment.

Following the killing, gangster Shooter Samana claimed responsibility in a social media post and threatened Biru’s associates to mend their ways, failing which they will also meet the same fate.

The murder triggered protests by Biru’s family and members of the Valmiki community, who blocked a road near Gandhi Chowk on Thursday demanding immediate action. His wife, Deepika, who married him six months ago, joined the protest and demanded strict action against the accused.

Karnal SP Narendra Bijarniya reached the spot and assured the family of action following which the protestors lifted their blockade. SP Bijarniya later constituted five teams to trace the assailants.

On Friday, the family accepted Biru’s body after talks with SDM Narendra Sharma and performed his last rites. The family has sought Rs 1 crore compensation, five arms licences and a government job for one member under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. DSP Sandeep Kumar said the demands would be forwarded to the state government for consideration