Panic gripped Begowal town in Kapurthala district on Friday evening after an exchange of fire broke out between suspected drug smugglers and the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Kapurthala team during a special anti-narcotics operation at the busy Satguru Rakha Chowk.
During the firing, a stray bullet struck former sarpanch Satpal Singh of Nadali village, who was purchasing vegetables at the market. He sustained injuries in his thigh and was immediately rushed to the local hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable and out of danger.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora told The Tribune that the CIA team had received specific intelligence regarding the movement of a large narcotics consignment and had laid a trap near the Begowal area. Acting on the input, the police team intercepted the suspects, following which the accused allegedly opened fire on the police party in an attempt to escape. The police retaliated in self-defence and managed to apprehend one accused identified as Abhimanyu, son of Ram Lubhaya and resident of Ward No. 2 under PS Tanda.
Police officials said that during a hot chase, another accused identified as Harcharan Singh, son of Rajpal Singh and resident under PS Srihargobindpur in Batala district, again opened fire on the police near Satguru Rakha Chowk before fleeing from the spot under the cover of darkness. Eyewitnesses claimed that nearly five -six rounds were fired during the encounter, triggering chaos in the crowded marketplace as shopkeepers and residents ran for safety.
SSP Toora stated that during the operation, the police recovered approximately 1.5 kg of suspected heroin, which falls under commercial quantity under the NDPS Act. Following the incident, SSP Gaurav Toora and SP (D) Harinder Singh reached the spot along with heavy police force and intensified naka bandi across the district to trace the absconding accused.
The police said that a case under relevant sections, including attempt to murder and provisions of the NDPS Act, is being registered against the accused. Raids are being conducted at suspected hideouts and interrogation of the arrested accused is expected to help expose the wider drug trafficking network operating in the region.
