Key Accused in Kabaddi Player Murder Case Killed in Police Encounter in Lalru, Two Cops Injured

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, December 17 – In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of a kabaddi player, the SAS Nagar district police on Wednesday neutralised a key accused during a brief exchange of fire in Lalru. Two police personnel sustained bullet injuries in the encounter, officials said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Harmandeep Hans said the accused has been identified as Harpinder alias Middhi, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran district. He was injured during retaliatory firing by police and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

The police action comes as part of the ongoing drive to strengthen law and order in Punjab, following directions issued by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

According to police, kabaddi player-cum-promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, also known as Rana Balachauria, was shot dead by assailants in Mohali on December 15, triggering an intensive manhunt for those involved.

The SSP further informed that the alleged mastermind of the murder, Aishdeep Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran who had been staying in Russia, has already been arrested. Aishdeep Singh had reportedly returned to India on November 25 on the directions of gangster Dony Bal to execute the killing. He was apprehended at Delhi airport while attempting to flee to Muscat.

Acting on information provided by Aishdeep Singh, police teams led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar conducted a raid on the Ambala-Lalru highway near the Jharmal river in Lalru to trace Harpinder Middhi, who was allegedly assisting the shooters and planning to escape.

SSP Hans said that during the operation, the suspect opened fire on the police party, resulting in serious injuries to Head Constables Gulab Singh and Kumar Sharma. The police retaliated in self-defence, injuring the accused, who was then taken to Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, where he later died.

Police have also arrested another accused, Jugraj Singh, with assistance from Amritsar Rural Police. The SSP said all individuals linked to the case have been identified and raids are continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects.