CHANDIGARH: In a dramatic development in the murder of Naitik Khandelwal in Sector 22, accused shooter Manmehar Preet Singh alias Mann, of Kharar, allegedly opened fire at a police team during a weapon recovery operation in the Sector 50 forest area early on Saturday. A bullet hit ASI Pradeep’s bulletproof jacket, saving him from serious injury. Police retaliated, hitting Manmehar in his right leg.The injured accused was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, for treatment. His brother, Arsh, was also present at the spot during the operation.According to police, the Operation Cell team, under the supervision of Inspector Harinder Singh Shekhon, had taken the two brothers, Mann and Arsh, to the forest area to recover the weapon allegedly used in Naitik’s murder. During the investigation, the accused had reportedly disclosed that the weapon had been concealed in the forest area.Accused allegedly snatched pistol and opened firePolice said that during the recovery operation, Manmehar allegedly pushed a police personnel and attempted to escape from custody. He then snatched a pistol and fired at the police team, with the bullet striking ASI Pradeep’s bulletproof jacket.The police personnel retaliated, and a bullet hit Manmehar in his right leg. He was subsequently taken to GMCH-32 for treatment.The police are carrying out further investigations into the incident and the weapon recovery. The circumstances surrounding the firing are also being examined.Father works in Punjab Police intelligence wingManmehar and Arsh’s father is reportedly posted in the intelligence wing of the Punjab Police. Investigators are probing the alleged roles of Manmehar and Arsh in Naitik’s murder.Police are also investigating the source of the weapon allegedly used in the killing and whether any other person was involved in the crime.
