Dreaded Punjab gangster sustains injuries after police open fire for trying to flee

Chandigarh: A dreaded gangster involved in several murder cases sustained bullet injuries after a team of police opened fire at him when he tried to flee from its custody in Punjab's Mohali district, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

Karanjit Singh alias Jassa Haibowal was brought to an abandoned building in the Zirakpur area for the recovery of a weapon by an Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) team of Punjab Police on Wednesday.

Singh, also a close associate of gangster Sonu Khatri, has been involved in at least six murder cases, said Sandeep Goel, Assistant Inspector General, AGTF.

The gangster, a resident of Nawanshahr, was arrested in November this year, said Goel. He was brought to the abandoned building as part of his questioning related to a case, he said.

The AGTF team recovered a China-made .30 calibre pistol and five live cartridges from the building.

However, Singh tried to escape from police custody. Police initially fired a warning shot but Singh did not stop, police said.

Goel said Singh was a 'cold-blooded murderer' and the the AGTF team opened fire at him in view of public safety. Singh sustained injuries due to the firing and was taken to a local hospital, he added.