Key accused in murder of Punjab AAP sarpanch killed in police encounter in Amritsar
A key accused in the murder of AAP sarpanch Jarmal Singh was killed in a police encounter in Amritsar while being taken for recovery of the weapon used in the crime, police said.
One of the key accused in the murder of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch Jarmal Singh was killed during a police encounter on Thursday while being taken for recovery of evidence in Amritsar, police said.
The accused, identified as Sukhraj Singh, had been among two suspects arrested earlier from Raipur following the shooting death of the sarpanch at a resort in Amritsar. Police said Sukhraj was taken to the Valla area for the recovery of a pistol allegedly used in the crime when the encounter took place.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Bhullar said a total of seven accused had been arrested so far in connection with the murder, adding that Sukhraj was the main shooter.
“During interrogation, Sukhraj disclosed that he had concealed the pistol used in the murder. When the police team took him for recovery, two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on the police vehicle,” Bhullar said. Police personnel retaliated, following which a gunfight ensued. During the exchange of fire, one police personnel sustained injuries, the commissioner said.
Bhullar added that amid the chaos, Sukhraj allegedly tried to overpower the police team and attempted to fire a weapon, during which he was shot and later succumbed to his injuries. “The police vehicle was hit by multiple bullets. Efforts are underway to identify and trace the unidentified attackers who fired at the police team,” the commissioner said.
Further investigation into the murder case and the encounter is ongoing.
BACKGROUND
Jarmal Singh, the sarpanch of Valtoha village and a member of the ruling AAP in Punjab, was shot dead by assailants at a wedding venue in Amritsar on January 4. Police have said the murder was the result of a planned conspiracy linked to old enmity.
According to Punjab Police, foreign-based gangster Prabhdeep Singh alias Prabh Dasuwal is the alleged mastermind behind the killing and is still at large. Police have said Dasuwal had claimed responsibility for the murder shortly after the incident.
Earlier, on January 6, another man allegedly linked to the case was killed in a separate police encounter in Tarn Taran district.