CHANDIGARH/FATEHGARH SAHIB, February 22:
As part of ongoing drive to eliminate gangster culture in the state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on Wednesday neutralised the mastermind of Phillaur Shoot-out, identified as Tajinder Singh alias Teja, along with his two associates, while returning fire in self-defence in a live encounter at New Fatehgarh Sahib Market in Bassi Pathana, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here.
“During this course of action, our one Police officer has sustained a bullet injury, while another got his leg fractured,” he said.
Punjab Police Constable Kuldeep Singh Bajwa had attained martyrdom in line of duty at Phillaur, while combating the anti-social elements on January 8, 2023. Pertinently, the Punjab Police on January 14, 2023, had already arrested key accused of Phillaur shoot-out identified as Yuvraj Singh alias Jora.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in an intelligence led Police operation at around 5:10 PM on Wednesday, AGTF team headed by ADGP Promod Ban and assisted by AIG Sandeep Goel, DSP Bikram Brar, DSP Rajan Parminder and Insp. Phushpinder Singh had traced the location of accused Teja and were chasing the vehicle, in which he along with his associates was travelling.
In an attempt to escape, Tajinder Teja and his associates had opened fire at the Police Party, he said, adding that Police teams had fired in return in self-defence and during exchange of fire Tajinder Teja and his one associate were neutralized on the spot, while, one had sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for medical treatment, where he too succumbed to his injuries. Police teams have also recovered six pistols from their vehicle, the DGP said.
Divulging more details, ADGP Promod Ban said that Tajinder Teja is a history sheeter and facing more than 38 criminal cases across the state. Accused Teja was also handling an independent gang associated with Gurpreet Sekhon gang, he said.
He said that the identity of other two deceased persons are yet to be ascertained. Further investigations are on, he added.
Notably, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had visited the house of the martyr at his native village and handed over a cheque worth Rs 2 crore to the distressed family as a mark of respect for his supreme sacrifice for the country. He had also announced to construct a stadium and name a road after martyr constable Kuldeep Singh Bajwa.
