Punjab cop murder case: Main accused killed in police encounter; Pakistan link under probe

Amritsar: One of the accused in the Punjab Police ASI Harjit Singh murder case was killed in an encounter late at night, officials said on Sunday.

While one of the main accused was killed in an encounter, his accomplice managed to escape by taking advantage of the darkness, Punjab Police Commissioner Harmanveer Singh Gill said during a late-night interaction with the media.

ASI Harjit Singh was killed while performing his duty on September 18. Following the killing, police teams had been working to identify and apprehend those involved.

A high alert was subsequently issued across the city and adjoining areas, with intensive toll checking.

Police received specific information that the suspects were moving in the area and could be looking for another target.

According to Commissioner Gill, when a police team signalled two suspects travelling on a scooter to stop at the Tarn Taran/Thanda Road naka, they allegedly opened fire at the police personnel instead.

The suspects were chased, and after abandoning their scooter at another location, they fired at the police team again.

The attackers fired four rounds, two of which struck the police vehicle. Another bullet hit a CIA officer in the chest. The officer survived as he was wearing a bulletproof jacket.

Police then returned fire in self-defence, firing six rounds, during which one of the suspects was hit. He was rushed towards a hospital but died on the way and was declared dead by doctors.

Based on preliminary identification and investigation, his age was estimated to be between 25 and 28 years.

The second suspect escaped under the cover of darkness. Police have launched a combing operation to trace and apprehend him.

Commissioner Gill also alleged that the murder was part of a conspiracy involving Pakistan-based handlers.

According to him, the youths were lured with promises of money and a share in the illegal drug trade. The handlers demanded proof of loyalty by targeting police personnel.

Investigators also found that after shooting ASI Harjit Singh, the accused allegedly returned to the crime scene and recorded a 30–40 second video to send to their overseas handlers as proof that the task had been completed.

The act was reportedly captured on CCTV, while forensic examination of mobile phones is underway.

Commissioner Gill appealed to parents to closely monitor their children’s activities and protect them from being exploited through social media, drugs and criminal networks.

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