Batala, 27 June (H.S.): A police team and a shooter were involved in an encounter in Batala on Friday night. During the exchange of fire, accused Ravi sustained a bullet injury in his leg in retaliatory firing by the police. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Batala, under tight security. Police recovered three empty shells from the spot.

According to information, a few days ago, unidentified attackers had opened indiscriminate fire at the house of a well-known cloth trader in Batala. In the same case, police had earlier arrested another accused, Baldev Singh, after an encounter on the night of June 24.

Considering the seriousness of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the supervision of senior police officers. During the investigation, police arrested a total of five accused, including Baldev Singh and Ravi.

SSP Mehtab Singh said that five accused were involved in the entire incident and all of them have now been arrested. The arrested accused have been identified as Baldev Singh alias Karan, Ravi Singh, Malkeet, Shubham and Khajan Singh.

The SSP further said that during interrogation, accused Ravi confessed that he had hidden the weapon used in the crime. When the police took him near a canal for recovery of the weapon, he allegedly took out a hidden revolver and opened fire at the police party.

The police immediately retaliated, during which Ravi was shot in the leg. His condition is said to be stable. No police personnel were injured in the encounter. Police said three empty shells were recovered from the spot, and a forensic team was called to examine the scene. Further investigation into the case is underway.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH