Jalandhar murder case encounter: Two shooters arrested after police operation in Adampur
Jalandhar:
The Jalandhar murder case encounter witnessed a significant breakthrough on Sunday when the Jalandhar Rural Police arrested two accused shooters following an armed exchange in the Adampur area. The arrests are linked to the brutal murder of 26-year-old Kesar Dhami, which occurred on January 16 and triggered widespread concern across the district.
According to police officials, the accused have been identified as Chandra Shekhar, a resident of Davida Ahrana village, and Jaspal Singh of Drolli Kalan village. Both sustained bullet injuries to their legs during retaliatory firing by the police after they allegedly opened fire on the police party.
The murder that led to the Jalandhar murder case encounter took place on January 16, when the accused allegedly rammed their motorcycle into the bike on which Kesar Dhami and his friends were travelling. After Dhami fell on the road, he was allegedly shot dead in a targeted attack. Following the incident, multiple police teams were formed to track down the assailants.
During the investigation, police recovered two .32 bore pistols, three live cartridges, three empty shells and the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime. Officials said these recoveries provide crucial evidence linking the accused to the murder and other possible criminal activities.
Senior Superintendent of Police Jalandhar Rural, Harvinder Singh Virk, said that an FIR has been registered at the Adampur police station under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. He added that the accused allegedly opened mule-like firing positions during the encounter, forcing police to respond in self-defence.
Police revealed that on January 18, they received specific intelligence that the accused had hidden their weapons near a motor pump close to Sant Baba Bhag Singh University and were likely to return to retrieve them. Acting on the tip-off, police teams cordoned off the area and launched a focused operation that ultimately led to the Jalandhar murder case encounter.
As police teams approached the area from the Drolli side, the accused reportedly arrived, retrieved the concealed weapons and attempted to flee. When police tried to stop them, the accused allegedly fired three rounds. One bullet struck the police Scorpio vehicle, another hit a nearby tree, while the third missed the target. Police retaliated in self-defence, injuring both accused in their legs before overpowering them.
Following the encounter, both accused were taken to a hospital for medical treatment under police custody. Police officials confirmed that their condition is stable and that they will be produced before the court after recovery.
The encounter operation was conducted under the supervision of DSP Adampur Rajiv Kumar, with the involvement of DSP (Detective) Inderjit Singh Saini, Inspector Ravinderpal Singh, SHO Adampur, and Inspector Pushp Bali, in-charge CIA Staff, along with specially constituted teams.
Police said the criminal antecedents of the accused are being verified and further recoveries cannot be ruled out. Officials added that further legal proceedings are underway and the investigation into the Jalandhar murder case encounter remains ongoing.
The Jalandhar Rural Police reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order and warned that strict action will be taken against those involved in violent crimes and illegal firearm activities.
