Bathinda, JUNE 14 — Two operatives linked to an incarcerated criminal mastermind have been arrested in Bathinda by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police. The state law enforcement agency intercepted the suspects as part of its ongoing campaign to enhance public safety across the state under the administrative directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav stated that the operational teams recovered two country-made .32 bore pistols and five live cartridges during the search. The arrested individuals have been identified as Kuldeep Singh, also known as Cheema, from Akalia Kalan village in Bathinda, and Abhimaan Singh, alias Abhi, from village Khundehalal in Sri Muktsar Sahib.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that both the arrested accused are linked to a criminal network operated by a jailed gangster active in the Ferozepur region,” DGP Gaurav Yadav affirmed. “Arrested accused Kuldeep Singh alias Cheema has a criminal background and is involved in multiple cases relating to attempt to murder and Arms Act.”
Additional Director General of Police Promod Ban noted that the arrests took place while an AGTF team from Bathinda was conducting routine patrolling duties. Officers spotted two individuals behaving suspiciously near a slip road on the Cantonment Bypass Ring Road.
The suspects reportedly showed signs of nervousness and tried to hide in nearby bushes when they noticed the police vehicle. The patrolling team quickly moved to detain them, discovering the unauthorized weapons and ammunition during a subsequent frisking.
A formal case has been filed under Section 25 of the Arms Act at the Civil Lines Police Station in Bathinda. The state police department declared that an active investigation is moving forward to trace the broader connections of this network and uncover additional associates.
