Three more accused arrested in shootout against US-based NRI in Amritsar, Punjab

Amritsar (Punjab) [India]August 26 (ANI): Three more people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a US-based non-resident Indian (NRI) in Punjab's Amritsar, authorities said on Monday.

The NRI, identified as Sukhchain Singh, was shot dead by two assailants at his residence in Daburji area of ​​Amritsar.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon and his team have launched a search operation to recover the weapons that were used in the shootout.

“Police have launched an operation to recover the weapons that were used in the shootout… They tried to fire at the police but in self-defence we fired at them and were able to arrest them… Sukhwinder alias Sukha and Gurkirat alias Gopi have been arrested by the police… They were involved in the shootout,” he said.

Earlier, five people were arrested in connection with the shooting of a US-based NRI in Amritsar, Punjab, authorities said on Sunday.

Dhillon said the incident was the result of a rivalry between two families, both residing in the US, who had hired Indian shooters.

“The incident happened due to mutual rivalry between two families. Both families are living in the US and hired Indian shooters for the task. The family that orchestrated the attack knew that the victim was in Punjab. It is only a matter of time before the shooters are arrested. Five people have been arrested so far,” he said.

Dhillon added that investigations are underway into financial transactions from the US to India related to this case.

According to Additional DCP Harpal Singh, the attackers arrived on a bike and entered Singh's house around 7 am on Saturday on the pretext of enquiring about the registration documents of his luxury car.

“They fired three shots, two of which hit Singh. The attackers fled when the gun jammed,” the officer said.

Singh's wife Amandeep Kaur said the family, comprising two children and an elderly mother, was present at home when the attack took place. “The children kept pleading to leave their father behind, but they came with the intention of killing him. They fled only when the gun jammed after three shots,” she said.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon confirmed that Sukhchain Singh, who was living in the US, had recently returned to Punjab.

“Two men entered Singh's residence on the pretext of enquiring about the registration certificate of his car and started shooting at him. A total of three men reached the residence. Two of them entered the residence and shot at Sukchain. Sukhchain Singh lives in America and he reached Punjab a month ago,” the CP said.

Sukhchain Singh was immediately taken to hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and is now out of danger.

The CP also said the family suspected the involvement of Singh's ex-wife's relatives and had filed an FIR against five of them.

Singh's father-in-law Sukhdev Singh expressed concern over the involvement of his ex-wife's family and said, “They entered our residence and took Sukchain Singh inside at gunpoint… We have doubts about the involvement of Sukchain Singh's ex-wife's family members in this incident. Justice must be done.” Dr Krishnan Srinivasan, who treated Sukhchain Singh, said he was admitted with severe bleeding but is now stable with injuries to his face and hand. (ANI)