PANCHKULA, HARYANA – In a swift and daring operation, the Panchkula Police have successfully averted a potentially catastrophic criminal incident by apprehending two armed suspects following a late-evening encounter. The operation, which took place near the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Sector 23, has been hailed as a major victory for law enforcement in the region.
Speaking to the media outside the Civil Hospital in Sector 6, DCP (Crime and Traffic) Amrinder Singh provided a detailed account of the events that led to the capture of the two individuals, who are alleged to be associates of notorious local gangsters.
Intelligence-Led Operation
The breakthrough began when the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) and the Crime Branch received a specific tip-off regarding two suspicious men. According to the intelligence, the duo was spotted roaming the streets of Panchkula on a motorcycle that lacked a registration number plate. Crucially, the informants indicated that the men were carrying illegal firearms and were likely on their way to execute a pre-planned hit.
Acting on the gravity of the report, DCP Amrinder Singh immediate activated a district-wide “Cordon and Search” strategy. Police blockades (nakas) were established at strategic entry and exit points to trap the suspects before they could act.
The Encounter at Sector 23
The chase reached its climax near the dumping ground adjacent to NIFT in Sector 23. When the police team spotted the motorcycle and signaled for it to stop, the suspects attempted to flee at high speed. In the ensuing pursuit, the riders lost balance and fell from the vehicle.
Rather than surrendering, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police party in a desperate bid to escape. In the interest of public safety and self-defense, the police team retaliated. During the exchange of approximately six rounds of gunfire, both suspects sustained bullet injuries to their legs and were successfully overpowered.
Key Details of the Apprehension:
- Suspects Identified: The arrested individuals have been identified as Mukesh (35) and Sonu (23), both residents of Kaithal.
- Seizures: Police recovered two .32-bore pistols and live ammunition from their possession.
- Gangster Links: Preliminary questioning suggests the duo are associates of gangsters Monu Gujjar and Shubham Pandit, linked to the Noni Rana gang.
Preventing a Disaster in Karnal
Perhaps the most chilling revelation from the initial interrogation was the suspects’ intended target. The duo disclosed that they had been ordered to open fire at the Neelkanth Dhaba in Karnal, a popular and heavily crowded eatery.
DCP Amrinder Singh noted that had the police not intervened in Panchkula, the attack on the dhaba could have resulted in significant civilian casualties. “To apprehend them, our team took calculated risks. Their intent was to cause terror at a public location, and our timely action prevented a bloodbath,” the DCP added.
Commitment to Public Safety
This successful operation comes on the heels of several high-profile busts by the Panchkula police under DCP Amrinder Singh’s leadership, including the recent dismantling of an international drug network. The police department has reiterated its “Zero Tolerance” policy toward gang-related activities and illegal weapon possession.
The two suspects are currently receiving medical treatment under heavy police guard at the Sector 6 Civil Hospital. Once discharged, they will be produced before a local court as the investigation continues to trace the source of their weapons and the broader network of their handlers.
