Gangster wanted for murder outside Fazilka court complex arrested after encounter: police

“Twelve rounds were fired during the encounter—seven by the police and five by the accused. Preetpal Singh sustained a bullet injury in his knee and was apprehended on the spot. He was later admitted to the Government Hospital in Fazilka for treatment,” the police officer said.

The DIG further said that under the ongoing drive against organised crime, the Ferozepur range police had arrested around 200 people, including gangsters and those providing shelter or logistical support to them.
In April last year, a minor resident of Dabbwala Kalan in Fazilka was shot dead in a suspected gang-war incident outside the district court complex. While he was leaving in a car after attending a hearing, another vehicle rammed into it. Armed assailants then opened fire, critically injuring him with a gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to a nearby government hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The boy’s family had alleged that he had received threats through social media ahead of the court appearance and that the police had been informed, but no preventive action was taken. He was sixteen and a half years old and had left studies after Class 10 after he was booked in an attempt-to-murder case.
The police said Preetpal Singh’s arrest is a significant breakthrough in the case and part of intensified efforts to dismantle gangster networks in the region.

Encounter in Patiala

In a separate incident, the Patiala police said an encounter took place between them and gangsters in the district, leading to the arrest of a gangster associated with the Jaipal Bhullar gang.

“During the encounter, the accused Harjinder Ladi was injured. The police recovered a pistol from the spot. The accused has been admitted to Rajindra Hospital,” said Kuldeep Chahal, DIG, Patiala Range. He added that Ladi was wanted in many cases.

According to the police, they shot in self-defence after Ladi opened fire at the personnel who stopped him.