In a dramatic turn of events last evening, police engaged in a shootout with two suspects involved in the NRI shooting case, resulting in injuries to the accused. The confrontation occurred near Vallah canal as the suspects were being transported for the recovery of weapons used in the crime.
The incident unfolded when the police, led by ADCP Abhimanyu Rana, attempted to retrieve the firearms from a hidden location. According to Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon, the suspects, Sukhwinder of Dhilwan in Kapurthala and Gurkirat Singh of Butra village in Jalandhar, forcibly seized their pistols and opened fire on the officers. In response, the police fired back, injuring the two shooters who were subsequently admitted to the hospital with leg wounds.
Earlier that day, a joint operation by Amritsar city police and Hoshiarpur police led to the arrest of three individuals, including the two shooters, at an inn in the Bank Bazar area. The arrests were made at Lala Laxman Das’s Sarai, where the suspects had been hiding. Along with Sukhwinder and Gurkirat, the police also detained Sukhwinder Singh of Butra village, who had been implicated in the case.
The shooting incident was part of a broader scheme orchestrated by Sukhwinder Singh, a U.S.-based individual and the brother of the victim’s ex-wife. The motive behind the crime was reportedly revenge for the death of Sukhwinder Singh’s sister-in-law, who had died by suicide in 2022. The contract for the shooting was valued at Rs 15 lakh, with an initial payment of Rs 85,000 made to the shooters. Sukhwinder Singh had also arranged the weapons used in the attack.
Following the shooting of the victim, Sukhchain Singh, the perpetrators were said to have abandoned their motorbike at a gurdwara in Khadoor Sahib and concealed the firearms near Vallah canal.
To date, the police have apprehended eight individuals connected to the case. Previous arrests include Sarvan Singh, father of the victim’s first wife, and Jagjit Singh and Chamkaur Singh from Thath village in Tarn Taran, who assisted the shooters. Additionally, the inn owner, Digambar Atri, and his manager, Abhilaksh Bhaskar, have also been taken into custody for their involvement in the case.
The ongoing investigation aims to unravel further details about the conspiracy and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
