Wanted gangster Harmanjit Singh was injured in an exchange of fire with Amritsar Police in Punjab’s Matewal village after allegedly shooting at officers who attempted to stop him at a checkpoint, police said Wednesday.
Amritsar SSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said police had received information about the suspect, also identified by police as Harman Gopa Rai, prompting officers to establish a checkpoint in the Matewal area. According to Chahal, Singh allegedly opened fire after officers signalled him to stop.
Police said one of the shots narrowly missed the station house officer. Officers returned fire, injuring Singh in the leg. He was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
According to police, Singh is a proclaimed offender wanted in connection with a grenade attack at Hanuman Chowk in Gurdaspur. Officers said they recovered a .32-bore pistol and live ammunition from him following the encounter.
Chahal said investigators are now examining Singh’s criminal history and possible gang affiliations. Police will also investigate whether he has links to terrorist activity, citing his alleged involvement in the earlier grenade attack. Authorities said further questioning is expected during his remand.
