Daijiworld Media Network - Fatehgarh

Fatehgarh Road, Dec 18: Police on Wednesday arrested three suspects allegedly involved in opening fire inside a grocery shop following a failed extortion attempt on Fatehgarh Churian Road. One of the accused sustained a bullet injury during a subsequent weapon recovery operation, officials said.

According to police, the incident occurred on December 8 when a masked assailant allegedly opened fire at a businessman and his son inside their grocery shop with an intention to kill. However, no one was injured in the attack. The assailant managed to flee the spot on a motorcycle along with two accomplices.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that although the victims were initially hesitant to share details, the case was cracked through independent police investigation.

Acting on specific inputs, police arrested Nirmaljot Singh alias Jot, Manpreet Singh alias Mangu and Karandeep Singh along with an Innova car. During the recovery of a country-made pistol near the Verka–Batala bypass, main accused Nirmaljot Singh allegedly pushed a police guard, snatched a carbine and attempted to fire at police personnel.

“As the weapon did not discharge due to the safety lock, ASI Navtej Singh first fired a warning shot and then, in self-defence, fired at the accused, injuring him in the left leg,” Bhullar said, adding that the injured accused was admitted to hospital.

Police recovered a .30 bore country-made pistol along with four live cartridges and the car from the accused. Investigations revealed that Nirmaljot Singh had opened fire inside the shop, Manpreet Singh was riding the motorcycle during the attack, while Karandeep Singh had carried out reconnaissance prior to the incident.

Police said the accused had planned to extort money from the businessman and resorted to firing after failing to do so. Further investigation is underway.