Thar car thief injured in police encounter in Patiala

Chandigarh: Patiala Police injured a robbery suspect during an encounter near the Sangrur bypass on Dakala Road on Saturday. The accused, Sarovar Singh alias Lovely, was wanted in a case involving the theft of a Thar car and has six criminal cases registered against him across Patiala, Sangrur, and Khanna districts.

The incident began when the accused allegedly attacked a man named Chirag with a sharp-edged weapon during a test drive of the Thar car. He injured Chirag, threw him out of the vehicle, and fled. Chirag, who suffered head injuries requiring 10 stitches, is being treated in a hospital.

Acting on a tip-off, police traced the accused to the bypass. When officers attempted to apprehend him, he attacked them, prompting police to open fire in self-defense. Sarovar sustained bullet injuries and was apprehended.

The police recovered a .32 bore pistol, three live cartridges, and shell casings from the accused, said Senior police officials, including SSP Dr. Nanak Singh.