Doraha, Jan 19: A wanted fugitive is under heavy guard at a local hospital after a morning shootout in Doraha that nearly claimed the life of a senior police officer. The incident occurred when a police team, acting on specific intelligence, cornered two suspects who opened fire to avoid capture.
The confrontation turned violent when the suspects used their vehicle to strike a police unit led by SHO Akash Dutt. During the skirmish, a bullet fired by the criminals hit Dutt in the chest. Fortunately, the officer was wearing a bulletproof jacket which prevented the round from causing any physical harm.
“He was also wanted in two more cases registered separately at Machhiwara and Sadar police stations,” DSP Payal Jaswinder Singh said regarding the primary suspect, Harsimran Mand. Singh mentioned that Mand had been evading authorities since a case was filed against him on October 10, 2025.
After the initial shots were fired at the police, Dutt retaliated by firing at the suspects’ legs to incapacitate them. Harsimran was struck during this exchange and subsequently surrendered. His partner, Avanjot Singh Bhandal, did not sustain injuries and was moved to a holding facility for questioning.
Officers at the scene seized two .32-bore pistols used by the duo during the escape attempt. The police have cordoned off the area on Rampur Road to allow forensic teams to process the evidence and reconstruct the sequence of the shooting.
“It was due to SHO’s immediate action on the tip off that the wanted criminal has been arrested,” DSP Singh said. The department is currently investigating the background of Bhandal to determine if he has links to other criminal activities in the Punjab region.
