AMRITSAR, June 12 — A 35-year-old man from Tarn Taran was fatally shot by drug smugglers during a police chase in Neshta village on Wednesday night, police said.
The victim, Gurjit Singh, a resident of Rasulpur village, had come to visit relatives in Neshta when he was caught in the crossfire between police and fleeing smugglers. Singh was struck by a bullet and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
According to Gharinda Station House Officer (SHO) Amandeep Singh, the Amritsar Rural police were acting on a tip-off about two suspected drug smugglers traveling on a motorcycle towards Amritsar. “We signaled them to stop at a checkpoint, but they attempted to flee. When we asked them to surrender, they discarded a bag and opened fire,” he said.
The gunmen, instead of aiming at the police, inadvertently hit Gurjit Singh, who happened to be passing through the area. “We rushed him to the hospital, but he could not survive,” the SHO added.
Police recovered approximately 5 kilograms of heroin from the scene, believed to have been dropped by the suspects during the chase. A case has been registered, and multiple raids are underway to apprehend the accused.
“The investigation is ongoing, and we will ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” SHO Amandeep Singh said.
