Chandigarh, 13 May (H.S.): In a major breakthrough in the sensational Batala double murder case, Punjab Police has arrested three key operatives linked to foreign-based fugitive gangster Happy Jatt from the Indo-Bhutan border in West Bengal while they were allegedly trying to escape to Bhutan.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the operation, named “Operation Nest Wrecker,” was carried out jointly by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) Punjab headed by Inspector General of Police Ashish Choudhary, and Batala Police.

The arrested accused have been identified as Jatin Singh, a resident of Kathunangal in Amritsar, Sajandeep Singh from village Sangar Kot in Tarn Taran, and Mehakdeep Singh from Balia Manjpur in Amritsar. Police said Jatin Singh has a criminal background and multiple cases under the Arms Act and NDPS Act are already registered against him.

According to police, on April 27 at around 9 pm, four unidentified assailants riding two motorcycles opened fire on three people in village Bhoma in Batala. Two persons died in the firing, while one person sustained injuries. DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were acting on the directions of foreign-based gangster Happy Jatt and carried out the planned killings on his instructions.

Additional Director General of Police Promod Ban said police teams analysed CCTV footage and tracked technical inputs to trace the accused. Their movement towards the international border was confirmed, following which a special team was sent to arrest them.

Police said further investigations are underway to uncover financial links, weapon procurement networks and the involvement of other associates. A case has already been registered at Ghuman police station in Batala under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH