In a swift breakthrough, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has arrested two suspects involved in the sensational daylight murder of a property dealer in Chandigarh’s Sector 9. The arrests came after a brief encounter in Kaithal, where the accused allegedly opened fire at the police team before being overpowered.
The operation unfolded on Thursday when AGTF teams tracked down the suspects during a joint action. According to officials, the accused attempted to resist arrest and fired at the police. In retaliation, the police responded, injuring both suspects. They were immediately shifted to a hospital and are currently under treatment.
Police have identified the arrested men as Piyush Pehelwan, a native of Ferozepur, and Pritam Shah from Nawanshahr. Investigators revealed that both are closely associated with fugitive gangster Lucky Patial, a known figure linked to the Bambiha gang. Authorities recovered multiple firearms along with the motorcycle used in the Chandigarh crime, strengthening the case against them.
Sources close to the investigation disclosed that Piyush Pehelwan, also known as Rajan, had recently entered India illegally from Malaysia through Nepal. Both accused reportedly have a history of criminal activities, with several cases registered against them. Piyush is also believed to be wanted in another high-profile murder case, indicating his deeper involvement in organized crime networks.
The victim, 31-year-old Chamanpreet Singh alias Chini, was a property dealer from Kubaheri village in Mullanpur. He was shot dead in a shocking attack on Wednesday afternoon near a gym in Sector 9. Singh had just arrived in his black Fortuner when two bike-borne assailants approached and opened fire. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attackers fired at least eight to eleven rounds before fleeing the scene, leaving the victim critically injured.
The incident triggered panic in the area and raised serious concerns about public safety in Chandigarh. However, the quick response by the AGTF led to the arrest of the suspects within 30 hours, which officials described as a major success.
Punjab Police also confirmed the recovery of three weapons, including a PX5 .30 caliber pistol, a .30 caliber Chinese pistol, and a .32 caliber pistol. These recoveries are expected to play a crucial role in further investigation and forensic analysis.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the accused tried to evade arrest by firing at the police team, but the situation was brought under control swiftly. He emphasized that strict action will continue against gang networks operating in the region.
The investigation is still ongoing as police attempt to identify other possible accomplices and uncover the exact motive behind the murder. Authorities are also probing the broader network of the Bambiha gang to prevent future incidents of gang-related violence.