JALANDHAR
In a significant breakthrough, Jalandhar Rural Police has recovered illegal weapons from two shooters involved in the 2022 murder of international kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal Ambian, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jalandhar Rural, Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh, PPS, here today.
The accused, identified as Puneet Kumar alias Lakhanpal, son of Rajinder Kumar, resident of Mohalla Aman Nagar, Jalandhar and Narinder Kumar alias Lalli, son of Subhash Chandra, resident of Gobind Nagar near Gujapir, Jalandhar, were brought on production warrant by Jalandhar Rural Police. During interrogation, they revealed information about weapons used in the crime, which have now been recovered by the police. The recovered items include two pistols and live ammunition.
"The weapons recovery is a crucial piece of evidence in this high-profile murder case. The accused were brought on production warrant specifically to recover these weapons, which we believe were used in the execution of Sandeep Nangal Ambian's murder," said SSP Khakh.
SSP Khakh said that the recovery operation was carried out under the leadership of Investigation SP Jasroop Kaur Bath and DSP Nakodar Sukhpal Singh, CIA staff in charge inspector Pushp Bali with the active involvement of Baljinder Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Sadar Nakodar.
SSP Khakh added that on March 14, 2022, international kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal Ambian was shot dead by assailants during a kabaddi tournament in village Mallian Kalan. A case was registered under sections 302, 307, 148, 149, 120-B, 212, 216 IPC and 25/27/54-59 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadar Nakodar.
During interrogation, the accused revealed that they were recruited by foreign-based handler Jagjit Singh alias Gandhi alias Lucky, who provided them accommodation at different locations before directing them to murder Sandeep Nangal Ambia. The investigation has established that the shooters, along with three other accomplices - Vikas Mahale alias Daya, Ravinder Singh alias Harry alias Gattu, and Harjit Singh alias Harry - executed the killing in village Mallian.
"With this weapons recovery, we have strengthened the case against a total of 16 accused individuals involved in this murder. The recovery of these weapons will play a crucial role in securing convictions," added SSP Khakh.
Forensic examination of the seized weapons will be conducted to scientifically establish their connection to the murder of Sandeep Nangal Ambian. The accused were previously evading arrest and had been hiding in various locations across multiple states before being apprehended.
SSP Khakh said that further investigations are ongoing to uncover deeper links within their criminal network and explore possible connections to other criminal activities in the region.