Amritsar: A 19-year-old man wanted in connection with the shooting of an Assistant Sub-Inspector was killed during an exchange of fire with police in Tarn Taran district on Saturday, according to officials.
The accused, identified as Karanbir Singh alias Nandi, was traced to Kandowal village, which falls under the Jhander police station area. Police said the operation was launched after information was received that he was moving around the area and was allegedly preparing to commit another crime.
Teams from the Jhander police station and the CIA unit were deployed to locate him. According to police, Karanbir was spotted riding a motorcycle near a drain and was asked to stop. He allegedly opened fire at the police personnel, triggering a retaliatory exchange.
During the firing, Karanbir sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and chest. He was taken to Civil Hospital in Ajnala for treatment but later died from his injuries.
A police official said Head Constable Amritpal Singh was injured in the leg during the encounter. Another officer, Head Constable Mandeep Singh, reportedly escaped serious injury after a bullet struck his bulletproof jacket.
Police said Karanbir had previously been arrested in connection with the firing that injured ASI Jaswant Singh near Bhalla Pind Sugar Mill. Investigators alleged that he later escaped while being taken to a location in the Majitha area as part of a weapon recovery operation.
A separate case was subsequently registered at Majitha police station over the alleged escape. Police also said Karanbir had been named in a case registered at Gharinda police station in 2025, when he was treated as a juvenile and later released on bail.
Investigators reportedly recovered a Glock 9mm pistol, a .30-bore pistol and the motorcycle from the encounter site.
Police said further investigation is underway to reconstruct the events leading to the encounter and determine whether Karanbir was involved in any other criminal cases.
