Mohali, 17 September (H.S.): Mohali Police have arrested four men allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in connection with three separate firing incidents carried out to extort money from residents. Police said five pistols, including two foreign-made weapons, 12 live cartridges and a Fortuner bearing a temporary registration number were recovered from the accused.

Addressing a press conference, SSP Varun Sharma said the cases were traced under the directions of Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav and DIG Ropar Range Nanak Singh. He said teams led by CIA Staff in-charge Inspector Pradeep Singh Bajwa and Operation Cell in-charge Inspector Harminder Singh tracked down the accused using technical inputs and human intelligence.

According to police, the first firing took place during the intervening night of September 4 and 5 at house number 1959 in Phase 10, where two motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at the residence of Sanjay Jadeja. Police claimed that Kulveer Singh Sidhu, who is based abroad and allegedly linked to the gang, had earlier demanded Rs 5 crore in extortion from Jadeja.

The second incident was reported on September 7 at house number 2459 in Phase 10, belonging to Jadeja’s business partner Baljit Singh. Police said two motorcycle-borne men again opened fire at the house, and a Rs 5 crore extortion demand had allegedly been made in this case as well.

The third incident occurred on September 14 at house number 269 in Sector 104, belonging to film producer Jagdeep Singh Mann. During the firing, a worker identified as Sachin sustained a bullet injury and is undergoing treatment. Police said Mann had also allegedly received a Rs 5 crore extortion demand.

During the investigation, police found that the accused were allegedly in contact with Ravinder Singh alias Kali, who is currently lodged in Burail Jail. Police claimed that Kali was coordinating gang activities from inside the jail, while the accused were also in touch with Kulveer Singh Sidhu abroad.

Police said Jasmandeep Singh allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the houses before the attacks, while Dushant Sharma was responsible for handling the weapons used in the crimes. Akashdeep Singh, Parveen Kumar and another associate, Simardeep Singh alias Jashan, were allegedly involved in carrying out the firing incidents.

The arrested accused have been identified as Akashdeep Singh, a resident of Sector 35-A, Chandigarh; Parveen Kumar alias Kalu of Lehra Soudha in Bathinda district; Jasmandeep Singh of Ansal Colony, Sector 114, Kharar; and Dushant Sharma alias Shammi of Sheikhpura, Jagadhri, Yamunanagar in Haryana. Police said Sharma also has a previous case related to a fight registered against him at Sohana police station.

Police said Simardeep Singh alias Jashan is yet to be arrested. Ravinder Singh alias Kali will also be brought on a production warrant for questioning. The four arrested accused will be interrogated in police custody to determine their possible involvement in other crimes and to trace the wider arms-supply network.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH