Ludhiana: Police confirmed on Monday that the four men who had opened fire upon officers near the Lohara bridge on Saturday evening were active peddlers transporting a significant drug consignment.This weekend encounter between the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and a group of suspected drug traffickers has exposed a major heroin delivery ring operating near the Sidhwan Canal. Officials claim to have seized 305 g heroin and an illegal .32-bore pistol from the scene.
The confrontation began when an ANTF team, led by assistant sub-inspector Sukhdev Singh, signalled a suspicious vehicle to stop at a checkpoint. The driver attempted a high-speed U-turn but was blocked by heavy traffic. As officers moved in to catch the occupants, one suspect, identified as Taranpreet Singh, allegedly exited the vehicle and fired at the cops. “Retaliating to the attack, the team fired two gunshots, one of which struck the assailant in the torso,” an ANTF official stated. “The suspects were then apprehended.”The Sadar police have registered an FIR (first-information report) against Taranpreet Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Surinder Singh, and Sukhpreet Singh. The charges include Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 109 (attempt to murder), 132 (assault to deter a public servant from duty), and 221 (obstructing a public servant), besides Section 25 of the Arms Act.The investigating officer, ASI Kapil Kumar, noted that the group was of repeat offenders with existing records under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. One of the suspects, Sukhpreet Singh, was arrested previously in connection with the seizure of 20kg poppy husk.ASI Kapil Kumar said: “During interrogation, the accused have revealed they were en route to deliver the heroin when they encountered the checkpoint.” Taranpreet Singh remains under police guard at a local hospital where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries. The remaining three suspects are in custody as the investigation into their alleged supply chain continues.
