Punjab: Key accused in Kabaddi player murder case killed in police encounter

In a major action by the SAS Nagar district police, and as part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the key accused in the kabaddi player’s murder case was neutralised in retaliatory fire by police teams. Two police personnel also sustained injuries in the encounter, which took place in Lalru on Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar, Harmandeep Hans, while addressing the media, identified the accused as Harpinder alias Middhi, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran. He sustained bullet injuries during the gunfire and was taken to the hospital for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

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As per information, kabaddi player-cum-promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, alias Rana Balachauria, was shot dead by assailants in Mohali on December 15.

Police teams have also arrested the mastermind in the case, identified as Aishdeep Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran who was currently staying in Russia. Acting on the directions of Dony Bal, he came to India on November 25 to execute the murder and was arrested at Delhi Airport while attempting to flee to Muscat.

The SSP said that acting swiftly on information provided by the accused Aishdeep Singh regarding his accomplice Harpinder Middhi, who actively supported the shooters and was planning to escape with him, police teams led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar, Inspector Sumit Mor, Inspector Pushvinder Singh and Inspector Malkiat Singh conducted a raid at the location pinpointed by him on the Ambala–Lalru Highway near the Jharmal River in Lalru.

Upon seeing the police party, Harpinder Middhi opened fire, injuring two police personnel—Head Constables Gulab Singh and Kumar Sharma. The police retaliated in self-defence, during which the suspect was injured and subsequently rushed to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, where he succumbed to his injuries.

SSP Harmandeep Hans added that another accused, Jugraj Singh, has also been arrested with the help of Amritsar Rural Police for his involvement in the case. “All the accused persons involved in this case have been identified, and raids are being conducted to nab the remaining accused,” he said.