2 drug smugglers held after police encounter on Mansa-Barnala road

Smugglers opened fire, hitting a police vehicle and barricade before the cops retaliated, injuring one of the accused in the leg.

Two drug smugglers were arrested after an encounter at a police checkpoint (naka) on the Mansa-Barnala road on Friday morning.

The car in which the two smugglers were travelling before they were intercepted at the checkpoint near Barnala on Friday. (HT Photo)

Acting on a tip-off, the Barnala police’s crime investigation agency (CIA) unit, led by inspector Baljit Singh, put up the naka and intercepted a black Hyundai Verna car at 6.15am. Instead of complying with the police signal to stop, the driver sped, while his accomplice opened fire on the CIA team.

Police sources said that the smugglers fired five rounds with a bullet hitting the police vehicle and another striking a barricade.

The police retaliated and one of the smugglers, Veerbhadar Singh, alias Kalu, suffered a gunshot wound in a leg. He was sent to a local hospital, while his accomplice, Keval Singh, was taken into custody.

Barnala senior superintendent of police Sarfaraz Alam said that an FIR has been registered under Sections 126(2) for wrongful restraint; 118(1) voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous means; 3(5) joint liability; and 351(2) criminal intimidation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Veerbhadar, who was out on bail. There are 11 first information reports (FIRs) registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The background of his accomplice, Keval, is being verified by the police department.

The police recovered a Glock pistol, a .32-bore pistol, and a bag containing a substantial quantity of contraband capsules. The contents of capsules are under investigation.