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Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, December 23
Drug smuggler Harbhajan Singh alias Rana of Nihala Khilcha village in the district, who had escaped from custody after his accomplices opened fire at police personnel injuring one of them on August 19, was killed here.
Pritam Singh, SSP, Ferozepur, said Rana had been booked in several cases under the NDPS Act and was a “key” conduit of Pakistan-based drug operatives. Most of his family members were involved in drug smuggling, he claimed.
The SSP said since they were in pursuit of Rana, he became suspicious that one Bagga Singh of his village was giving inputs about his movement to the police.
On Friday night, Rana turned up at Bagga’s house and shot him dead. However, Bagga, in his self-defence, threw a brick at Rana which hit him on the head. Later, when the police reached the spot, Rana too was found dead.
Sources said that it was uncertain if Rana was killed after being hit by a brick. The SSP said the smuggler was accompanied by an unidentified person, who fled the spot after the incident. “We are examining the matter from all angles,” he said, adding that they had seized a 9 mm pistol used by Rana to kill Bagga.
A case under Sections 302, 100, 450 and 34 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against Rana following the complaint lodged by Bagga’s son Jarnail Singh.
Pritam Singh claimed Rana had close links with Pakistan-based smugglers, including one Haji. In December 2015, the Ferozepur police had arrested Rana following an intelligence input and had recovered 22.5 kg of heroin worth Rs110 crore from his possession. His two accomplices Rishi alias Babbar of Zirakpur and Saurabh of Phillaur, who had come to receive the consignment, were also arrested.
Had links with Pak smugglers
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