Amritsar ASI murder accused shot dead in police encounter, manhunt on for second suspect
PTC News Desk: In a significant breakthrough, one of the accused involved in the killing of Amritsar ASI Harjeet Singh, was killed in a police encounter late Saturday night. is accomplice managed to escape by taking advantage of the darkness.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said the two suspects were travelling on a scooter late Saturday night.
When a police team asked them to stop at a checkpoint, they allegedly opened fire. The police retaliated, leading to an exchange of gunfire. A CIA staff member was hit by a bullet in the chest during the crossfire, but his life was saved by his bulletproof jacket. One of the shooters, identified as Deepak, was killed in the police firing.
The Police Commissioner said the investigation has revealed alleged links between the conspiracy and handlers based in Pakistan. The accused were allegedly offered money and a share in the drug trade as an incentive to carry out the crime.
Harjit Singh was shot dead while on duty near the Bhagtanwala grain market under the Gate Hakima police station on Thursday night. He suffered a bullet injury on the back of his neck and died on the spot.
According to the police, CCTV footages, technical inputs and information from local sources helped investigators establish the identities and movements of the suspects.
The police claimed to have seized a .30-bore pistol, two magazines containing eight live cartridges, a mobile phone and an Activa scooter allegedly used in the crime.
The killing had triggered a major police operation in the city. Multiple teams had been scanning CCTV footage to trace the route taken by the suspects after the shooting. Preliminary investigation suggested that two Sikh men were seen fleeing on a scooter from the Bhagtanwala grain market around 12.32 am.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, who visited Amritsar on Friday, said specialised teams had been constituted to crack the case.
Meanwhile, Harjit Singh was cremated with state honours at his native Rampur Bhutwind village on Saturday after his daughter arrived from England. ADGP (Law and Order) AS Rai and Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill attended the cremation.
- PTC NEWS
