In a dramatic early morning police encounter near Kotli-Gujran railway underbridge in Shahkot, two suspected drug peddlers—Ajay alias Baja and Lakhwinder Singh—were arrested after a brief exchange of gunfire with police.
According to DIG Naveen Singla, the Shahkot police, acting on a tip-off received at 4:45 am, launched an operation to intercept two youths suspected of transporting narcotics from Bajwa Kalan. By 6:15 am, officers led by DSP Onkar Singh Brar attempted to stop them near the railway crossing.
Instead of surrendering, the suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate. Both accused were shot—one in the thigh, the other in the leg—and taken into custody. They are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
From the scene, police recovered:
110 narcotic pills
Two .32 calibre pistols
Five live cartridges
A motorcycle used in the drug delivery
DIG Singla stated that both men have a criminal past, including charges of extortion and attempted murder. Initial investigations revealed they were operating on instructions from overseas-based gangsters Germanjit Singh and Navdeep Singh, believed to be residing in the United States, with possible handlers in the UK.
SSP (Rural) Harvinder Singh Virk confirmed that the suspects were also involved in extortion schemes, demanding ransoms on orders from these foreign handlers. Multiple cases have already been registered against them in Shahkot and Lohian Khas police stations.
Police are continuing their interrogation to dismantle the broader criminal network linked to international drug cartels. DIG Singla commended the swift and courageous response of the police team and reaffirmed the department’s resolve in tackling organised crime and the drug menace in Punjab.
