PHAGWARA: In a major breakthrough in the investigation of the violent armed attack in Eastwood village near Phagwara, the police have identified five additional suspects accomplices of main accused Sukha of village Talhan linked to the assault on security guard Sandeep Kumar. The accused—Sukha, Sahbha, Rakshat, Kartarpur, Neeraj, and Raj Verma—are being actively pursued as raids continue across Kapurthala and Jalandhar districts, said SSP Gaurav Toora.He said the accused have been booked under relevant acts of BNS and could be apprehended at any time.
According to S.P. Phagwara, Madhvi Sharma, the primary accused, Sukha, who had previously worked at an ice cream parlour in Eastwood village, had been dismissed due to repeated disputes with colleagues and misconduct, including alleged incidents of harassment. Police reports indicate that Sukha had made several attempts to access the security post but was stopped each time by on-duty bouncers. Investigators believe the recent attack was a revenge-driven act stemming from these prior conflicts.
DSP Bharat Bhushan stated that Sukha returned to the security post on Tuesday evening accompanied by five to six accomplices armed with sticks and a firearm. Witnesses reported that a tall youth with long hair fired a bullet at close range, which struck the mobile phone in Sandeep Kumar’s pocket. The impact caused the phone to explode, inflicting both gunshot and burn injuries before the bullet lodged in his thigh, narrowly missing vital organs. The attackers fled the scene in a white Hyundai i20 bearing registration number PB 08 DY 8903, heading toward Jalandhar.
Police have registered a case under Sections 307 (attempted murder), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant provisions of the Arms Act. An empty cartridge recovered from the site has been sent for forensic analysis, and CCTV footage from nearby establishments is being reviewed to track down the suspects.
SP Madhvi Sharma confirmed that police have identified five additional accomplices and are conducting raids at multiple suspected hideouts. “We are treating this matter with utmost seriousness. The culprits will be apprehended soon, ” she said. She further emphasized that witness statements have been recorded, and multiple leads are being pursued to ensure all accused are brought to justice.