Punjab Police solved Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader’s murder case in 72 hours; Two attackers arrested

– Two .32 bore pistols including 16 live and 1 empty cartridges and the scooty used in the crime were recovered.

– Foreign handlers supported by Pakistan-based terrorist organization behind killing of VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga: DGP Gaurav Yadav

– Further investigation is on to trace the terrorist organization operating this module: SSP Rupnagar Gulneet Khurana

Chandigarh/Rupnagar, April 16:

In a joint operation with SSOC Mohali, Rupnagar Police arrested two operatives of a Pakistan-based terror organization’s terrorist module involved in the Nangal-based Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader’s murder case in less than 72 hours. It has been resolved in time. This information was given by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here today.

According to information, two unidentified assailants shot and killed VHP Nangal mandal president Vikas Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga at his shop on railway road in Nangal on Saturday evening. The assailants—one of whom was wearing a helmet and the other with a muffler covering his face—came on a black scooter.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that after a scientific and systematic investigation of the matter, the police arrested the two attackers, who were identified as Mandeep Kumar alias Mangi and Surinder Kumar alias Rikka. The DGP further said that the police teams recovered from them two pistols of .32 bore, one of which was used in the crime, along with 16 live cartridges and 1 empty cartridge. Apart from this, the TVS Jupiter scooter used in the crime has also been seized.

He said that preliminary investigation has revealed that this terrorist module supported by Pakistan based terrorist organization is being operated, inspired and funded by foreign handlers based in Portugal.

The DGP said that the arrested shooters Mandeep Kumar alias Mangi and Surinder Kumar alias Rikka are pawns of these foreign-based handlers, who are the operators of Pakistan-based terrorist masterminds. These pawns have been lured into the gang by the lure of money.

He said both the shooters were in touch with foreign-based handlers through encrypted apps and besides arranging funds and weapons to carry out the murders, the location and photograph of the target was shared with them. .

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that this investigation will be conducted by the Punjab Police in a logical manner and all the accused involved in this case will be arrested. He reiterated that the Punjab Police is fully committed to maintaining peace and order in the state.

Giving more information in this regard, SSP Rupnagar Gulneet Singh Khurana said that as soon as the information was received, different teams were formed and deployed to investigate the matter. He said that a reward of Rs 1 lakh was also kept for information regarding the identity of the shooters and the pictures of the accused recovered from the CCTV were circulated through electronic, print and social media.

He said that further investigation is on to trace the terrorist organization operating this module.

In this regard, an FIR has been registered at Thana Nangal under Sections 302 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act on 13-04-2024.