States » NorthPosted at: Nov 4 2026 9:47PM


Punjab police arrest fugitive after shootout, foil alleged plot to free jailed gangster during court transfer

Chandigarh, Nov 4 (UNI) Punjab police arrested a fugitive criminal suspect following an exchange of gunfire in Amritsar on Wednesday, uncovering an alleged plot to attack a police escort and free a jailed gangster during his transfer to court, a senior police official said.
The suspect, identified as Akashdeep alias Akash, sustained a bullet injury to his leg after allegedly opening fire on officers attempting to arrest him, Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said.
Police said Akashdeep and four accomplices were planning to free jailed gangster Angrez, who faces around 15 criminal cases, including those connected with the Bhola and Kot Khalsa murders.
"The accused, along with four associates, was planning to attack a police escort and free gangster Angrez while he was being taken to court," Gill said, according to the police account.
Investigators said the group intended to target the escort during a stop at a roadside eatery, where they allegedly planned to open fire on police personnel and facilitate the gangster's escape.
Akashdeep, a resident of Kardian village in Batala police district, had been declared a proclaimed offender by a court and was wanted in seven criminal cases registered at different police stations, Gill said.
He was also allegedly involved in a recent armed robbery at a money exchange shop in Batala, where Rs 250,000 was stolen at gunpoint.
Police said they received intelligence that Akashdeep was operating in Amritsar and launched an operation to track him using CCTV footage and technical surveillance.
When officers intercepted him, the suspect allegedly refused to surrender and fired two rounds at the police team, prompting officers to return fire.
"The suspect fired two shots at our team. Police retaliated in self-defence, and he was injured in the leg before being taken into custody," Gill said, according to details provided by police.
Akashdeep was taken to a government hospital for treatment. Police did not report any injuries among the officers involved in the operation.
A .32-calibre pistol, two spent cartridge cases, three live cartridges and a scooter bearing an Amritsar registration number were recovered from the scene, police said.
Investigators are checking the scooter's ownership records and examining whether the recovered weapon was used in other criminal offences.
Gill said police had identified the four alleged accomplices involved in the suspected escape plot and launched raids to arrest them.
According to investigators, the group had planned to exploit the movement of the jailed gangster between prison and court, with the attack allegedly timed to coincide with a stop by the police escort.
Police are examining how the suspects intended to obtain information about the gangster's movements and whether others were involved in organising the proposed attack.
The police commissioner said the investigation would also focus on the suspects' alleged involvement in the Batala robbery and their possible connections with other criminal networks.
The alleged conspiracy has raised concerns about the security of prisoners facing serious criminal charges during court appearances, although police have not disclosed whether any specific transfer date had been targeted.
Police said further action would follow the arrest of the remaining suspects and examination of evidence recovered during the operation.
The allegations against Akashdeep and his associates have not been established in court.
UNI NB CDS
Tags: #Punjab police arrest fugitive after shootout# foil alleged plot to free jailed gangster during court transfer
More News

YS Parmar varsity embarks on next phase of growth, focus on self-reliance, innovation, global outreach

04 Nov 2026 | 10:41 PM

Arvind Kashyap
Solan, Nov 4 (UNI) In a decisive leap towards institutional self reliance and global outreach, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni has unveiled a robust slate of research, entrepreneurial and academic infrastructure.

see more..

Sonipat orders 50 pc work from home in government, private offices from Nov 5 to 20

04 Nov 2026 | 10:34 PM

Sonipat, Nov 4 (UNI) The Sonipat administration on Wednesday ordered government and private offices to limit physical attendance to 50 percent from November 5 to 20, with the remaining employees working from home, as part of measures to curb air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh said the decision followed directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to control air pollution.

see more..

Punjab anti-drug activist's family ends 23-day standoff after Rs 2 crore compensation deal

04 Nov 2026 | 10:32 PM

Chandigarh, Nov 4 (UNI) A 23-day standoff over the killing of Punjab anti-drug campaigner Parvinder Singh, known as Jhota, ended on Wednesday after his family agreed to his cremation following a deal with the state government that includes Rs 2 crore in compensation, a job for his widow and several other concessions.

see more..

Family bid to bring body of Haryana youth back to India from US The family had spent Rs 40 lakh by mortgaging land and taking loans

04 Nov 2026 | 10:26 PM

Kaithal, Nov 4 (UNI) Efforts are on to bring the body of Bhim Gill, a 35-year-old resident of Pyoda village in Haryana, who died following a heart attack in the United States last month.

see more..

Nurpur Police Seize Drug Trafficker’s Property Worth Rs 48 30 Lakh, Seal House

04 Nov 2026 | 9:53 PM

Dharamshala, Nov 4 (UNI) In a significant breakthrough under its anti-Chitta campaign, Nurpur Police have taken possession of a residential property worth Rs 48.30 lakh, allegedly acquired through drug trafficking, and sealed the house under the PIT-NDPS Act.

see more..