ATS arrests three aides of Punjab gangster

Mumbai: Three alleged shooters associated with fugitive Punjab gangster Sonu Khatri were arrested on Monday from Ambivali near Kalyan by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)

Mumbai: Three alleged shooters associated with fugitive Punjab gangster Sonu Khatri were arrested on Monday from Ambivali near Kalyan by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

Kalyan, India - January 09, 2023: In a joint operation between Punjab Police and Maharashtra ATS units in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, the police arrest three sharp shooters belonging to Harvinder Singh alias Rinda and Sonu Khatri gang from a hideout, in NRC Colony, Ambivali, Kalyan, India, on Monday, January 09, 2022. (Photo by Pramod Tambe/HT Photo). (HT PHOTO)

The trio along with their five other associates allegedly fired around 20 rounds at a 35-year-old farmer, Makhan Singh in March last year. The assault was purportedly carried out on instructions of the gang leader, Khatri. The Punjab police arrested two accused in connection with the brutal murder and were looking for others.

The trio wanted with the case, was hiding in NRC Colony in Ambivali since June last year, said deputy superintendent of police Rajan Parminder of the anti-gangster task force (AGTF), Punjab. Based on specific input, a joint team of the Thane unit of Maharashtra ATS, AGTF Punjab and Khadakpada police raided the residence and managed to nab the trio.

The arrested accused are identified as Shivam Avtarsingh Mahalo, 22, Gurumukh Nareshkumar Singh alias Gora, 23, and Amandeep Kumar Gurmelchand alias Rancho, 21. All of them are residents of Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar, Punjab.

Police officials said the arrested accused were allegedly in touch with gangster and terrorist, Harvinder Singh alias Rinda and alleged members of Punjab gangster Sonu Khatri, who is said to be hiding in the USA. The arrested shooters have several serious crimes like murders, attempted murders and other body offences registered against them in Punjab.

“Singh has some previous enmity with Khatri due to which he directed his men to kill him. There was a total of six shooters who were carrying 9mm pistols and fired more than 20 rounds at Makhan Singh. Two people involved in the planning were arrested earlier and now after the arrest of the trio, three more shooters are still wanted in the case,” added Parminder.

The accused were produced before a local court in Kalyan and we have got their three days transit remand – to enable us to take them back to Punjab, he added.