Ludhiana/Jalandhar, 8 August: Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) teams, acting on intelligence inputs, launched a late-night raid near Gorsian Khan Mohammad village under Sidhwan Kalan police station, leading to a violent exchange of fire between drug peddlers and the police.
One accused, Davinder Singh alias Babbu of Akkuwal, sustained serious bullet injuries in the abdomen during the crossfire. He was taken to a multispecialty hospital in Ludhiana for treatment. However, the kingpin of the racket, Sunny Singh of Vehran village, and Kuldeep Singh alias Keepa—the alleged owner of the hideout—managed to escape along with several accomplices.
“We have registered an FIR against Kuldeep Singh Keepa, Sunny Singh, Davinder Singh Babbu and other unidentified persons for attacking the ANTF team. Further action will be taken under the guidance of senior police officials,” said SHO Hira Singh, confirming that Babbu was injured in the encounter.
The FIR was lodged at the Sidhwan Bet police station, based on a statement by ANTF official Amandeep Singh, who led the operation under the supervision of Jalandhar SP Jagjit Singh Saroa.
The FIR states that when the ANTF team reached the hideout, the suspects—5 to 7 in number—attempted to flee and opened fire at the approaching officers. In retaliation, police fired back. During the chase and gunfight, Davinder Singh was shot, while Sunny Singh and others managed to escape as the police turned their attention to the injured suspect.
Initial investigation suggests the gang was about to distribute a large consignment of drugs from the location. Sunny Singh and his associates are reportedly involved in multiple criminal cases and are believed to operate an extensive drug trafficking network with possible cross-border links, posing serious national security threats.
“We had credible inputs about Sunny Singh’s gang storing narcotics at the location. The operation was planned accordingly. We are probing all angles including cross-border smuggling,” a senior police officer involved in the case said.
So far, police have not confirmed the seizure of any contraband or weapons from the site, though further investigation and searches are ongoing.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched a manhunt for Sunny Singh and other absconding accused, and additional charges may be framed based on the forensic and ballistic analysis of the crime scene.
