PHAGWARA: key figure in Punjab’s criminal underworld was injured in a police encounter during a high-stakes weapon recovery operation early Thursday morning in Kapurthala district. The operation, led directly by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora, marked a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the recent Dhilwan Toll Plaza firing case and resulted in the arrest of two major accused along with the recovery of a large cache of illegal arms.
The incident unfolded when police escorted the prime accused, Ramandeep Singh alias Raman, to village Mand near Dhilwan for the recovery of firearms linked to a firing incident that took place on June 24. While the search was underway, Ramandeep suddenly attempted to escape from custody by pushing the accompanying officers. Acting swiftly, the police team gave verbal warnings, but when he refused to stop, a warning shot was fired, which struck him in the leg. He was immediately restrained, given first aid, and shifted to Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, where he remains under treatment.
Ramandeep Singh, a resident of Kothe Tarkhana in Amritsar, is a notorious gangster with 13 criminal cases to his name, ranging from attempted murder to arms smuggling and extortion. His daring attempt to flee custody only reinforced his criminal audacity, but under the firm command of SSP Toora, the police prevented a possible escape that could have endangered public safet