Encounter in Karnal: Firing between STF and shooters, two injured

March 4, 2026

An encounter broke out late Tuesday evening between two criminals and the Karnal Special Task Force (STF) near Kurali village on Indri Road in Karnal. Following the encounter, the team arrested two shooters, Ashish and Kapil, residents of Dodwa village in Sonipat. Both were shot in the leg and are undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital.

Acting on a tip-off, the STF team arrived late Tuesday evening to surround the criminals. One of the criminals opened fire upon seeing the police team, striking a constable and another employee.

DSP Aman Kumar stated that the accused had opened fire outside the Pahal Nutrition showroom in Sonipat on February 27th. Following the incident, the accused made the video viral on social media. Subsequently, the criminals opened fire at two other locations.

On Tuesday, STF in-charge Deependra Rana’s team received information that the two shooters who opened fire at the showroom were in Karnal. Upon receiving the information, the STF team began ambushing the two criminals near the canal near Kurali village. As the STF team attempted to apprehend the criminals, they, finding themselves surrounded, opened fire on the team. Two employees narrowly escaped. Subsequent crossfire by the STF struck both accused in the leg. Police apprehended them and admitted them to the hospital.

The hospital doctor stated that one of the criminals was shot near a bone. The accused’s recovery is expected to take approximately two months. The two shooters had arrived in the Karnal area to carry out the crime. Seeing the police surrounding them, they opened fire.

Police recovered two illegal pistols from the accused. Both shooters, Kapil and Ashish, are residents of Dodwa village in Sonipat district.

Firing at Pahal Nutrition in Bahalgarh on February 27
On February 27, three young men arrived on a bike at the Pahal Nutrition showroom in Bahalgarh, Sonipat. Two young men stood outside the shop, while one entered. Once inside, he threatened to shoot Ritesh Garg, who was sitting at the reception. The young man attempted to fire, but the shot failed. Ritesh Garg immediately got up from his chair and ran back, saving his life. Another criminal standing outside fired at the showroom’s glass, shattering it. After committing the crime, the three accused fled on a motorcycle.