Drug smuggler injured in police encounter

A drug and weapon smuggler was injured following a brief exchange of fire with the police on late Saturday evening. The incident happened when he was taken for recovery of narcotics and a pistol at Kassowal village in Ramdass area here.

The injured was identified as Palwinder Singh, alias Pala, of Jatta village. He suffered a bullet injury in one leg and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Sharing details, Amritsar (Rural) SSP Maninder Singh said the rural police arrested two persons with a .30 bore caliber pistol from Ghonewal village falling under the Ramdas police station here.

In addition, the police also arrested Baljinder Singh, alias Balraj, of Machiwala village. Both were produced in a court and brought on police remand. He said during preliminary investigations, Palwinder Singh disclosed the hiding of a heroin consignment at Kassowal village area. A police team took him to the spot for the recovery of drugs and weapons.

Gurvinder Singh Aulakh, DSP, Ajnala, said after the recovery of 523 gram of heroin, the accused took out a pistol concealed at the spot and fired at the police party in order to escape from the police custody. However, the police team narrowly escaped and retaliated in self-defence leading to the gunshot injury to Palwinder Singh. He was taken to a hospital at Ramdass.

Amritsar