PunjabENews

Category: Crime

  • Major Terror Threat Averted in Punjab; Two Held with Two Hand Grenades

    Major Terror Threat Averted in Punjab; Two Held with Two Hand Grenades

    Bathinda News: In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Bathinda has averted a major terror threat with the arrest of two accused persons and recovered two hand grenades from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

    Those arrested have been identified as Buta Singh alias Gurpreet Singh alias Gopu, a resident of Gillwali in Ferozepur and Harmander Singh alias Nikka, a resident of Mothawali in Moga.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the recovered grenades were part of an illegal supply-chain linked to cross-border elements, intended to disrupt peace and public safety in the border state.

    The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages and identify other associates involved in this module.

    Sharing operational details, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) CI Bathinda Avneet Kaur Sidhu said that police teams had received a reliable input that two operatives linked to terror module have retrieved hand grenades. Acting swiftly on intelligence input, CI Bathinda launched intelligence led operation and apprehended both the suspects from Moga-Ferozepur Road and recovered two hand grenades from their possession, she said.

    The AIG said that the swift action by Counter Intelligence teams thwarted an untoward incident and neutralised a potential threat.

    In this regard, a case FIR no. 06 dated 17.03.2026 has been registered under sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosives Act at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Fazilka.

  • Property dealer shot dead in broad daylight near eye hospital in Chandigarh

    Property dealer shot dead in broad daylight near eye hospital in Chandigarh

    Chandigarh: A property dealer was shot dead in a brazen daylight attack near an eye hospital in Sector 9 of Chandigarh, triggering panic in the area.

    According to initial reports, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at the victim, a resident of Mullanpur in New Chandigarh. The attackers allegedly fired around seven rounds before fleeing the scene.

    Police teams rushed to the spot soon after the incident and cordoned off the area. A forensic team collected evidence, while CCTV footage from nearby buildings is being scanned to identify the attackers.

    The motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained, though police suspect it could be linked to personal or business rivalry.

    Further investigation is underway.

  • Sacrilege incident reported in Samana; Patiala police launch probe

    Sacrilege incident reported in Samana; Patiala police launch probe

    Chandigarh: Police in Patiala have launched an investigation after a suspected sacrilege incident was reported in the Samana area on Tuesday.

    According to officials, torn pages of a sacred Sikh scripture were found scattered along Bhawanigarh Road in Samana, triggering concern among locals.

    The incident site is located a few hundred metres from an ongoing protest being held under the banner of ‘Dharam Yudh Morcha’, where activists and farmers have been demanding stricter laws against sacrilege. Protests against such incidents have already been underway in the area for the past few weeks.

    Deputy Superintendent of Police (Samana) Fateh Singh Brar said police teams reached the spot soon after receiving information and began collecting evidence.

    “We are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify and arrest those responsible,” he said.

    Protesters alleged that such incidents could disturb communal harmony and stressed the need for swift action against the culprits.

    The development comes amid continued agitation led by activist Gurjit Singh Khalsa, who has been protesting for over a year by climbing a 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana, demanding a stringent law against sacrilege.

    Police said efforts are underway to trace those involved, while security in the area has been heightened to prevent any escalation of tensions.

  • Lucky Oberoi murder case: 10 detained in Jalandhar; main shooter still absconding

    Lucky Oberoi murder case: 10 detained in Jalandhar; main shooter still absconding

    Jalandhar: Police have detained 10 suspects during a major search operation in connection with the high-profile murder of Lucky Oberoi in Jalandhar.

    More than a month after the killing, the main shooter, Gurtaj Singh, remains at large, posing a major challenge for investigators.

    According to police sources, the crime was allegedly orchestrated by Joga Foldiwal, who is believed to be operating from the United States. Investigations suggest that local associates were providing financial support and weapons to the shooter on his instructions.

    As part of the crackdown, police conducted raids at 10 different locations across the city to dismantle the alleged network. Two close associates of the mastermind have also been rounded up for questioning.

    Officials said that despite continuous raids, the main accused has managed to evade arrest by frequently changing locations. Investigators are also trying to determine who helped the shooter escape from Behram and who may be sheltering him at present.

    Police teams are continuing search operations and have intensified efforts to track down the absconding accused.

  • Amritsar: Six Linked to Cross-Border Smuggling Module Held; Six Pistols Recovered

    Amritsar: Six Linked to Cross-Border Smuggling Module Held; Six Pistols Recovered

    Amritsar News: In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted two separate cross-border arms and drug smuggling modules with the arrest of six accused persons and recovered six sophisticated pistols and 3.5 kg heroin from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

    Those arrested have been identified as Karan Singh (26) of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi (22) of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran, Makhandeen alias Makhan (22) of Nag Kalan in Amritsar, Rakesh alias Keshu (26) of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran, Chamkor Singh alias Chamkor (23) of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran and Jasbir Singh alias Beera alias Raghu (19), a resident of village Mullechak in Amritsar.

    The recovered weapons include three PX 5.7×28MM TISAS Turkey pistols, two .30 Bore and one 9MM pistol along with 60 live cartridges. Notably, the sophisticated automatic PX 5.7×28 mm TISAS Turkey series pistols recovered in the operation are among the latest weapons and are among the rare recoveries.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed links of arrested persons with Pakistan-based smugglers, who were facilitating the supply of weapons and narcotics near the Indo-Pak border using drones. The accused were operating under a cross-border handler, indicating a larger organised smuggling network, he said.

    The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire network.

    Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that during patrolling and search, police teams noticed two suspicious youths— identified as Karan Singh and Gurpreet alias Gopi— riding a motorcycle and upon their search, two TISAS Turkey pistols along with magazines and 20 live cartridges were recovered. During further investigations, one more TISAS Turkey pistol and one .30 bore pistol along with ammunition were recovered on their disclosure statement, he said.

    He said that both arrested accused belong to villages located near the Indo-Pak international border, which facilitated the smuggling of these weapons across the border. During interrogation, the duo disclosed their supplier and identified him as Makhandeen alias Makhan, who was later arrested with one .30 bore pistol along with magazine and ammunition, he said.

    In a similar operation, the CP said that police teams apprehended suspects Rakesh alias Keshu and Chamkor Singh after recovering 200 grams heroin from their possession. An additional 800 grams of heroin was recovered on their disclosure statement, taking the total recovery in the case to 1 kilogram of heroin, he added.

    He said that in furtherance of the case, acting on credible secret information, police teams conducted a well-coordinated operation and arrested Jasbir Singh alias Beera alias Raghu after recovering 2.5 Kg heroin from his possession.

    In this regard, three separate cases— FIR no. 59 dated 08-03-2026 under section 25(8) of the Arms Act at Police Station Gate Hakima, FIR no. 53 dated 10-03-2026 under sections 21-C and 21-B of the NDPS act at Police Station Chheharta and FIR no. 27 dated 08-03-2026 under section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Verka— have been registered.

  • Day 52 of Gangstran Te Vaar: Punjab Police Conducts 587 Raids, 241 Held

    Day 52 of Gangstran Te Vaar: Punjab Police Conducts 587 Raids, 241 Held

    Punjab News: As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 52nd day, Punjab Police on Friday conducted 587 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

    As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.

    On Day 52, Police teams arrested 241 individuals and recovered 11 weapons from their possession, taking the total arrests to 14,340 since the launch of the campaign.

    Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 103 persons, whereas, 102 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested three proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

    People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

    Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 377th day with 64 drug smugglers arrested on Friday and recovered 13 kg heroin, 2.6 kg opium and 443 intoxicant tablets/capsules from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 53,383 in just 377 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 30 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

  • Postmortem report reveals Ranjit Singh died of bullet injury; family questions encounter claim

    Postmortem report reveals Ranjit Singh died of bullet injury; family questions encounter claim

    Chandigarh: The postmortem report of Ranjit Singh, who was killed in an alleged police encounter in Punjab, has stated that the cause of death was a bullet injury. However, the family has expressed dissatisfaction with the findings and maintained that he died due to custodial torture.

    Family members said they would comment on the report only after watching the videography of the postmortem examination.

    While the report appears to support the police version, questions remain over how Ranjit Singh, who was reportedly in handcuffs, managed to obtain a motorcycle and a pistol allegedly used to fire at Gurmeet Singh during the encounter.

    Ranjit Singh’s uncle Harvinder Singh Mallhi has repeatedly alleged that the youth died during interrogation while in police custody.

    The postmortem examination was conducted on March 3 at the civil hospital in Gurdaspur in the presence of chief judicial magistrate Surekha Dadwal.

    The court had also sought CCTV footage from cameras installed near the alleged encounter site at Purana Shala, around 25 kilometres from the location where the police jeep had reportedly overturned.

    Police earlier claimed that Ranjit Singh managed to escape after the vehicle carrying him for the recovery of weapons overturned, following which an encounter took place.

    The autopsy was conducted by a team of doctors from Government Medical College Amritsar, including Dr Sukhdeep Singh (medical officer), Dr Satinder Pal Singh (associate professor) and Dr Harsh Kumar (senior resident).

  • Punjab Police, In Coordination with Central Agencies, Brings Back Fugitive Bhuvnesh Chopra from Central Asian Country

    Punjab Police, In Coordination with Central Agencies, Brings Back Fugitive Bhuvnesh Chopra from Central Asian Country

    RED NOTICE AND LoC WERE ISSUED TO TRACK AND RESTRICT INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENTS OF ACCUSED BHUVNESH CHOPRA: DGP GAURAV YADAV

     

    Punjab E News: In a major breakthrough against cross-border organised crime amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police, with the active support of central agencies, has successfully arrested fugitive Bhuvnesh Chopra alias Ashish, after deporting him from a Central Asian Country, to face charges in numerous heinous crimes, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

    Pertinently, constituted on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the newly-established Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) working under Internal Security wing has played a pivotal role in this operation.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that to track and restrict international movements of accused Bhuvnesh Chopra, a Red Notice (Red Corner Notice) and Look-Out Circular (LoC) were issued.

    “Sustained international coordination eventually traced his location to a Central Asian country, following which he (Bhuvnesh) was deported and arrested upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi,” he said.

    As per the information, accused Bhuvnesh Chopra, a resident of Ferozepur, was a key figure wanted in connection with high-profile crimes, including the sensational Ferozepur triple murder and multiple narcotics trafficking cases. The accused has been facing at least nine first information reports (FIRs) in districts including Ferozepur, Fazilka and Patiala.

    The DGP said that accused Bhuvnesh Chopra alias Ashish was a major facilitator of narcotics smuggling from Pakistan into Punjab and had managed to escape abroad to evade law.

    He said that beyond drug trafficking, Chopra has also been the prime conspirator behind the August 2024 triple murder in Ferozepur, in which a young girl and two others lost their lives following a rivalry between Chopra and one of the victims, Dildeep Singh.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Chopra’s arrest is expected to significantly disrupt the logistics network of drug consignments entering Ferozepur and neighbouring border districts of Punjab, dealing a major blow to cross-border narcotics trafficking operations.

  • Supreme Court grants bail to two accused in Sidhu Moose Wala murder case

    Supreme Court grants bail to two accused in Sidhu Moose Wala murder case

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted bail to two accused, Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh, in connection with the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer and rapper Sidhu Moose Wala. The court took the decision after reviewing the duration of the accused’s custody and the progress of the trial in the high-profile case.

    The killing of the popular artist shocked the music industry and triggered a major investigation. Police linked the crime to the Bishnoi gang and filed a 1,850-page chargesheet detailing the conspiracy and roles of multiple suspects.

    Alleged masterminds

    According to investigators, the following individuals are accused of planning or ordering the killing:

    Lawrence Bishnoi – alleged gang leader and a key conspirator.

    Goldy Brar – considered the main mastermind who allegedly coordinated the operation from abroad.

    Jaggu Bhagwanpuria – accused of assisting in the conspiracy and coordinating gang members.

    Details of the murder

    Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead on May 29, 2022, in Jawaharke village of Mansa district in Punjab. The singer was travelling in his SUV when attackers surrounded the vehicle and opened fire with multiple rounds.

    Police said six shooters were involved in the attack, and Moose Wala died at the scene.

    Investigators have suggested that the killing was carried out as revenge for the 2021 murder of Akali leader Vicky Middukhera.

    Other key accused

    The chargesheet names 24 accused, including:

    Sandeep Singh Kekra – accused of conducting reconnaissance (rekki).

    Priyavrat Fauji – identified as a key shooter.

    Ankit Sersa

    Keshav Kumar

    Sachin Bhiwani

    Manu Dagar and others.

    Several suspects remain absconding, including Goldy Brar, Sachin Thapan, Anmol Bishnoi and Lipin Nehra.

    Current status of the case

    Courts have framed charges against 27 accused so far. The trial in the case is still ongoing in Punjab courts. Some of the accused remain in jail, while others have received bail during the course of legal proceedings.