Ludhiana: A 20-year-old fugitive wanted for attempted murder was shot dead in a public park on Wednesday afternoon, the latest escalation in a series of violent clashes between local criminal factions.Pardeep Kumar Billa, a resident of Ram Nagar who faced seven outstanding criminal charges, was killed by a single gunshot to the head at about 3.30pm in the Jamalpur area. Police confirmed the bullet had struck Billa in the temple, killing him instantly before he could draw an illegal pistol found tucked into his waistband.
A fatal confrontationWitnesses reported that Billa entered the park with several associates shortly before the shooting. A verbal altercation reportedly broke out among the group, ending when one of the men produced a firearm and shot Billa at close range. “The victim was a notorious criminal with a significant record,” said assistant commissioner of police (Industrial Area-A) Inderjit Singh Boparai. “Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting was the result of a long-standing tussle with individuals from his own locality.”The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shot was fired. While police recovered Billa’s loaded weapon from the scene, officials noted he appeared to have been caught off guard by the speed of the attack.A history of violenceBilla had been evading authorities since Oct 21, 2025, following a shooting that left a 22-year-old laborer, Asgar, wounded. In that instance, Billa and an accomplice allegedly opened fire during a dispute intended to “resolve” a prior conflict. Since that incident, Billa had remained a high-priority target for Jamalpur police. His criminal portfolio included seven first-information reports (FIRs) involving various violent offences, attempted murder charges stemming from the Oct shooting, and illegal possession of firearms.Investigation startsThe police have launched a search for the suspects identified in the park confrontation. However, the investigation faced an early hurdle when officers arrived at Billa’s family house in Ram Nagar to find the home vacated. Police authorities stated that a formal case will be registered once statements from the victim’s family or additional witnesses were secured. Forensic teams remain at the park to analyse the trajectory of the fatal shot and any physical evidence left by the fleeing suspects. MSID:: 127000486 413 |
