Punjab Police Foils Target Killing Plot, Nabs Six Members of Kaushal Chaudhary Gang with Weapons Cache

In a decisive step toward maintaining law and order, Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence unit in Amritsar successfully thwarted a potential target killing by apprehending six members of the notorious Kaushal Chaudhary Gang. This swift action underscores the state’s unwavering commitment to eradicating organized crime and ensuring public safety.

The operation led to the arrest of two prime shooters, Puneet Lakhanpal and Narinder Kumar, alias Lalli, who were involved in the high-profile murders of Kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal Ambian and Sukhmeet Singh, also known as Deputy. Along with them, four other gang members—Harpreet Singh (alias Happal), Gurbhinder Singh, Sandeep Singh, and Maninderjit Singh (alias Shinda)—were taken into custody. Six foreign-made .30 bore pistols and 40 rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav highlighted that the gang was also responsible for a brazen attack on the Highway King Hotel in Rajasthan last year, where they demanded a hefty ₹5 crore extortion. These criminals, active across Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab, have been evading arrest for the last three years, carrying out criminal activities under the guidance of their foreign-based handlers.

In a major success for Punjab Police in its fight against organized crime, six notorious members of the Kaushal Chaudhary Gang have been apprehended, dealing a significant blow to criminal networks operating in the region. These arrests underscore the state’s commitment to ensuring law and order. Here are the details of those arrested:

1. Puneet Lakhanpal
   • Role: Notorious shooter of the Kaushal Chaudhary Gang.
   • Criminal Activities: Directly involved in the high-profile murders of Kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal Ambian and Sukhmeet Singh, alias Deputy.
   • Criminal Record: Over 20 cases registered against him, including murder and extortion.
2. Narinder Kumar (alias Lalli)
   • Role: Key shooter in the gang.
   • Criminal Activities: Involved in the same murders as Puneet, with additional ties to extortion and arms smuggling.
   • Criminal Record: Wanted in seven other cases related to violent crimes.
3. Harpreet Singh (alias Happal)
   • Role: Member of allied criminal networks linked to Kaushal Chaudhary.
   • Criminal Activities: Known for involvement in illegal arms dealings and violent incidents.
   • Background: Convicted in 2019, currently under trial for multiple cases.
4. Maninderjit Singh (alias Shinda)
   • Role: Experienced gang operative.
   • Criminal Activities: Implicated in several arms-related offences and violent crimes.
   • Background: Known for his connections with organized crime networks in Punjab.
5. Sandeep Singh
   • Role: Local operative assisting the gang’s criminal operations.
   • Criminal Activities: Currently under investigation for his full involvement in the gang’s activities.
6. Gurbhinder Singh
   • Role: Active gang member with connections to drug trafficking and firearm possession.
   • Criminal Activities: Linked to violations under the Arms Act and NDPS Act.
   • Background: Faces multiple charges and trials for his criminal acts.

This coordinated action by Punjab Police has disrupted a dangerous criminal network, averting a possible target killing and reinforcing the state’s efforts to curb organized crime.

The Punjab Police’s intelligence network played a pivotal role in this breakthrough. On receiving credible information about the gang’s local operatives roaming near Haveli Restaurant in Jandiala, Amritsar, a swift action plan was executed. A strategic checkpoint led to the successful apprehension of the suspects, disrupting their plans to carry out a targeted killing in Punjab.

Preliminary investigations reveal that this group is part of an organized crime network that engages in extortion, arms smuggling, and orchestrating violence. Their extensive operations span multiple states, with ongoing probes expected to uncover deeper connections within their network.

The arrested individuals have been found with a history of heinous crimes. Puneet Lakhanpal and Narinder Kumar were directly involved in the murders of prominent figures, while the others have been implicated in various offences, including arms-related violence and drug trafficking.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar. This decisive action reaffirms Punjab Police’s determination to safeguard citizens and dismantle organized criminal syndicates threatening peace and security in the state.

The resolute efforts by Punjab Police in combating organized crime not only restore public confidence but also set a precedent in law enforcement’s ability to protect the fabric of society from such elements.

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