PHAGWARA: A wanted gangster, Karanjeet Singh alias Jassa, was injured in a police encounter near village Barhowal in the Banga area of SBS Nagar district on Tuesday afternoon, when he allegedly opened fire at a police party during a weapon recovery operation.
Senior Superintendent of Police Mehtab Singh Virk while confirming it told This Correspondent that Karanjeet Singh alias Jassa, who was already lodged in jail in connection with the September 27 attack on Sarpanch Gurwinder Singh alias Pehlwaan of village Happowal, was brought on a production warrant for further investigation. In the earlier case, FIR No. 104 dated 27-09-2025 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act had been registered at Police Station City Banga against Jassa and his accomplice Sonu Khatri, who remains absconding.
DIG Satinder Singh told that during interrogation, Jassa reportedly confessed to having concealed the firearm used in the attack at a location in village Barhowal under Police Station Sadar Banga. Acting on his disclosure, the police team took him to the spot for weapon recovery. However, upon reaching the site, the accused allegedly retrieved the hidden weapon and opened fire on the police party in an attempt to escape.
The police, acting swiftly and in self-defense, retaliated, injuring the accused. He was immediately overpowered and shifted to Civil Hospital, Nawanshahr, where he is undergoing treatment under police custody.
Following the encounter, the police registered a fresh case — FIR No. 126 dated 07-10-2025 under Section 109 of BNS and Section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadar Banga against the injured gangster.
DIG said that strict measures are being taken to crack down on criminal elements in the region and that further investigations are underway to trace absconding accomplice Sonu Khatri and uncover any broader network linked to the attack on the Sarpanch.