As search ops continue, Amritpal aide seen in Hoshiarpur in new video

The ‘dera’ whose footage has surfaced is located in a village that is just two to three km away from Marnaian village where the police had launched their massive search for the duo.

Following inputs that Amritpal and Papalpreet have sneaked into Punjab, the police Tuesday night chased the Innova for about 37 kms from Phagwara, before its occupants abandoned the vehicle near Gurdwara Bhai Chanchal Singh in Marnaian and disappeared into the fields in the cover of darkness.

There were inputs that the suspects could have used a Swift car after abandoning the SUV. Police had recovered another vehicle from Phagwara, which they suspected could have been used by the duo.

Sources said Papalpreet was spotted in the CCTV footage of the dera of Wednesday morning. It is suspected that Papalpreet and Amritpal got separated in Hoshiarpur following the police chase of their vehicle. It is also suspected that Amritpal and Papalpreet, who is considered one of the mentors of the radical preacher and who had been advising him on various issues, are now hiding in two separate deras (a place for religious congregation).

Doaba region is home to hundreds of ‘deras’. Expanding their search, police officials are also looking for Amritpal at other possible hideouts including residential places, small rooms set up near tubewells and even shelters for animals.

Amritpal has been on the run since a police crackdown on his outfit Waris Punjab De on March 18. He has, however, appeared in two videos and an audio clip released on social media in the past few days debunking speculation he was negotiating his surrender and nudged the Akal Takht to summon a “Sarbat Khalsa” to discuss issues related to the Sikh community.

The crackdown on the Waris Punjab De chief was launched about three weeks after his supporters stormed a police station in Ajnala near Amritsar to secure the release of an arrested man. He and his associates have been booked in several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.