Two drug peddlers injured in police encounters in Amritsar

Amritsar: Two drug peddlers were injured in separate police encounters in Amritsar as part of the ongoing crackdown on drug smuggling, officials said on Monday.

In the first incident, Amritsar police arrested a drug smuggler, Sahil alias Neela, after a shootout in Palm Garden Colony Link Road area on Sunday night. Sahil, a resident of Faizpura, was shot in the leg after police retaliated.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Sahil has three criminal cases registered against him under the NDPS Act and several under the Arms Act. Police recovered a .32 caliber pistol and a motorcycle he used while attempting to escape.

In another encounter, police arrested Jagtar Singh with a large quantity of ICE (crystal methamphetamine). The accused tried to flee while being taken to a location under Gharinda police station for further recovery of drugs.

Despite repeated warnings, he did not stop, prompting officers to open fire. A bullet hit Jagtar in the leg, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Officials said a search operation is underway to recover additional narcotics and dismantle the drug smuggling network.