Has Punjab Police Stopped a Targeted Killing Plot Linked to the Bhagwanpuria Gang?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police thwarted a targeted killing plot.
- Five operatives from the Bhagwanpuria gang were arrested.
- Weapons recovered included a PX5 pistol and a .32 bore pistol.
- The plot was orchestrated by Husandeep Singh from the US.
- The operation highlights the ongoing gang turf wars in Punjab.
Chandigarh, July 15 (NationPress) In a remarkable development, the Punjab Police have successfully prevented a targeted killing scheme by arresting five individuals associated with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, which is being directed by Husandeep Singh, currently in the US, as stated by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.
Two firearms—a PX5 pistol and a .32 bore pistol—were seized during this intelligence-driven operation conducted collaboratively by Counter-Intelligence Punjab and the district police forces of Amritsar (Rural) and Batala. The arrested individuals were identified as Lovepreet Singh, Sikandar Kumar (also known as Gola), and Onkarpreet (alias Jashan) from Shahabad village in Batala; Gagandeep (alias Giani) from Gandhi Camp in Batala; and Mehakpreet Singh from Amritsar.
DGP Yadav revealed that initial inquiries indicated that the imprisoned gangster Bhagwanpuria, who is currently held in Silchar Jail in Assam, had devised a plot to execute a targeted killing of a supposed rival gang member to retaliate for the recent murder of his mother, an event that has escalated the ongoing turf conflict among rival criminal groups.
The DGP elaborated that Bhagwanpuria had been plotting this act through his associate Husandeep Singh, who is based in the US, coordinating with local operatives, including Lovepreet Singh, to arrange hitmen and implement the scheme. The first breakthrough was achieved when Amritsar Rural Police, under the leadership of Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh, apprehended an individual named Mehakpreet Singh.
Upon questioning, he revealed that Sikandar Kumar possessed vital information about the shooters and the execution plan. Sharing the operational details, SSP (Batala) Suhail Qasim Mir stated that acting promptly on this tip-off, Batala Police tracked down Sikandar Kumar and arrested him along with his accomplice Onkarpreet. Further inquiries led to the arrest of another associate, Gagandeep.
During intense questioning, Sikandar Kumar disclosed that he was being managed by Lovepreet Singh, a pivotal organizer in this conspiracy, who was later detained by the police in a separate operation. The SSP noted that Lovepreet confessed that the entire scheme was being orchestrated remotely by Husandeep Singh from the US, aimed at eliminating an alleged rival gang member, he added.