Amritsar: A key accused in the killing of Punjab Police Assistant Sub Inspector Harjit Singh was shot dead in an encounter with police in Amritsar, officials said, while investigators continued to probe a possible link to a Pakistan based terrorist network. A second suspect involved in the case remains at large.
The accused, identified as 19 year old Deepak Singh, was traced after police used CCTV footage, technical surveillance, tower dump analysis and local intelligence to identify the suspects. Police said officers intercepted two men travelling on a scooter at a checkpoint at around 9.45 pm.
According to police, the suspects opened fire, firing four rounds at the officers. Police returned fire in what officials described as self defence. Deepak sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The other suspect reportedly escaped from the spot.
Police have recovered a .30 bore pistol, two magazines, eight live cartridges, a mobile phone and a Honda Activa scooter allegedly used in the crime, officials said. The recovered material is now part of the investigation.
The encounter came two days after ASI Harjit Singh was shot dead while performing PCR duty in the Bhagtanwala grain market area of Amritsar. Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district, was allegedly chased and attacked by two men riding a motorcycle. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav had said the officer was struck by a bullet from behind, near the back of his neck.
Investigators are also examining a possible cross-border terror angle. Police sources said a Pakistan based terrorist allegedly offered money to the accused to carry out the attack. The precise nature of the alleged communication and the identity of any handler remain under investigation.
Deepak had previously been jailed in a drug related case and was released in April, according to police linked information.
Meanwhile, police teams have intensified efforts to locate the second accused and establish the complete chain of events behind the killing.
The investigation is continuing, with authorities examining digital evidence, weapons, communications and other material recovered during the operation to determine whether the murder was connected to a wider criminal or cross border network.
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