One of the three accused in the killing of an Assistant Sub Inspector of Punjab Police and a Home Guard jawan in Gurdaspur district, Ranjit Singh, was killed in a police encounter near Puranashala, around 8 km from Gurdaspur on the Gurdaspur Mukerian road near Tibri cantonment on Wednesday morning.
Police officials said Ranjit Singh, 19, was among those involved in the killing of ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar, who were found shot dead at the Adhian checkpost near the International Border earlier this week.
Senior Superintendent of Police Aditya said police intercepted the accused following which an exchange of fire took place. Ranjit Singh sustained bullet injuries during the operation and later succumbed in hospital. CIA Staff SHO Gurmeet Singh also suffered a bullet injury on his arm and was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Gurdaspur.
Police said one accused has been arrested while another suspect, identified as Inderjeet Singh, managed to escape. The identity of the arrested accused has not been disclosed so far. DIG Border Sandeep Goel is expected to brief the media regarding the operation.
The encounter has sparked controversy after the deceased’s mother, Sukhwinder Kaur, claimed that her 19 year old son, who was her only child, had been picked up by police from their residence around 4 pm a day earlier. Questioning the police version, the devastated mother said her son was taken away alive and demanded to know how he was later shown killed in an encounter. She has sought proof of his alleged involvement in the double cop murder case and demanded an independent investigation.
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia demanded a CBI enquiry into the encounter, stating that while justice for the slain police personnel is necessary, allegations raised by the family must be examined through a fair and transparent probe.
Police sources said family members of Ranjit Singh, a resident of Adhian village, were earlier taken into custody during investigation, following which he allegedly surrendered. His father is reportedly serving a jail sentence in Saudi Arabia.
Further investigation into the killing of the two police personnel and efforts to trace the remaining accused are underway.