Kidnapper killed in police encounter, abducted child rescued in Patiala

Patiala: A kidnapper was killed in an encounter with Patiala police, and an abducted eight-year-old boy was rescued safely from Mandore village. The child, Bhavkirat Singh, was taken by two motorcycle-borne men from Sihan Daud village in Malaud block on March 12.

The encounter occurred near Ajnoda village in Nabha, led by Inspector Shaminder Singh, in charge of the CIA staff, Patiala. The slain kidnapper was identified as Jaspreet Singh.

Three policemen—Rupinder Singh, Shivji Gir, and Baljinder Singh—were injured. Rupinder Singh sustained a bullet wound in his leg, Baljinder Singh was shot in the ear, and Shivji Gir also suffered injuries.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema visited Sihan Daud in the evening and handed over the child to his parents in the presence of police and administrative officials, including MLA Payal Manwinder Singh Ghiyaspura and MLA Amargarh Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajan Majra. Cheema said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was personally monitoring the case.