Bathinda: In a breakthrough, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab has apprehended four accused after a brief exchange of fire near Sirhind Canal Link Road in Bathinda, and recovered two sophisticated pistols from their possession, said Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday. As per a senior police officer, one gangster was injured during the encounter. Those arrested have been identified as Gurdeep Singh, Sukhchain Singh, Gurvinder Singh and Jashanpreet. The recovered weapons include one 9MM Glock and one .30 bore pistol along with five live cartridges, and two empty shells. Apart from recovering weapons, police teams have also impounded two motorcycles.DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused are linked to a criminal network and are wanted in a recent criminal case registered at Police Station Bhagta Bhaika in Bathinda. The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish backward and forward linkages in this case to identify other associates, and uncover the wider criminal network.ADGP Promod Ban said that following reliable input, police team from AGTF Bathinda was chasing four suspects travelling on two motorcycles. “Upon noticing the police party near Sirhind Canal Link Road, they opened fire at the police party with the intention of evading arrest. The AGTF personnel retaliated by opening controlled fire in self-defence,” the ADGP said, adding that during the exchange of fire, accused Gurvinder sustained a bullet injury on his leg, and two bullets struck the official Maruti Ertiga vehicle being used by the police party. The injured has been undergoing treatment at local Civil Hospital, he added. The ADGP said preliminary investigation has revealed the arrested accused were on the way to eliminate member of their rival gang. Arrested accused has criminal history with multiple criminal cases pertaining to attempt to murder, Dacoity, Arms Act, NDPS act have been registered.In this regard, an FIR is being registered under relevant sections at Police station Cantonment in Bathinda.
