Ludhiana: The Ludhiana Rural arrested five men and recovered a live 86 P hand grenade, .32 bore pistol, a magazine and a live cartridge after an exchange of fire between the police and the accused in Sidhwan Bet on Saturday. The police also seized a Mahindra Scorpio in which the accused were travelling.
The swift police action not only foiled a possible criminal conspiracy but also averted a major tragedy.
Moreover, in the exchange of fire, one of the accused suffered bullet injury and an ASI from CIA staff of Ludhiana Rural police had a narrow escape as a bullet fired by an accused hit his turban, narrowly missing him.
The arrested accused have been identified as Arjun Singh alias Taj alias Chattu, Manpreet Singh — both resident of Village Mugal Chak Gill in Tarn Taran, Amjid Masih alias Benny, Sajan — both resident of Village Kakka Kandiala in Tarn Taran and Balraj Singh — resident of Village Pandori Gola in Tarn Taran.
The operation was carried out by the CIA team of Ludhiana Rural police after receiving a tip-off about a black Mahindra Scorpio moving suspiciously with armed men believed to be plotting an unlawful act.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP – Ludhiana Rural) Ankur Gupta said that acting on the lead, the police team had set up a checkpoint near village Jandi. When signalled to stop, the vehicle sped away, eventually ramming into a roadside tree. Officers noted that the front number plate was missing while the rear one had been deliberately covered with mud to conceal the registration.
As the suspects attempted to flee, one of them opened fire on the police team. A bullet whizzed past CIA officer Balwinder Singh, striking his turban and narrowly missing him.
In retaliation, the police fired back, injuring one accused, identified as Amjad Masih, in the leg. He, along with his four accomplices, was immediately overpowered and arrested.
The injured suspect was rushed to Jagraon Civil Hospital for treatment under police custody.
SSP said that on searching the vehicle and the accused, the police recovered a live hand grenade, an illegal pistol, and cartridges. A bomb disposal squad was summoned to safely defuse the explosive.
SSP said, “The recovery of a live grenade from their possession is a matter of grave concern. We are investigating their motives, as well as their backward and forward links, to ascertain whether they have connections with organized gangs or extremist elements.”
The police are probing whether the suspects were planning a targeted strike in Ludhiana or elsewhere.