Sidhu Moosewala killing: 2 suspects shot dead in Punjab encounter
What's the story
Two gangsters, suspected to be involved in the killing of singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moosewala, have been shot dead by the Punjab Police in an encounter.
Three cops have also been injured in the encounter which took place near Amritsar.
The suspects have been identified as Jagroop Singh Roopa and Manpreet Singh alias Mannu Kussa.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Moosewala was shot dead on May 29 in Punjab's Mansa district.
Lawrence Bishnoi has been named as the main conspirator in the killing after Goldy Brar, a close associate of Bishnoi, claimed that he and gangster Bishnoi had planned the singer's killing.
Brar claimed Moosewala was killed as revenge for the murder of Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera and Brar's cousin Gurlal.
Details
Suspect had opened fire at Moosewala with AK-47
The Anti-Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police, who had been tailing the two suspects, neutralized them in a three-hour encounter in Punjab's Bhakna village.
Roopa was the first to be gunned down.
Kussa had allegedly fired the first shots at Moosewala with an AK-47 rifle.
The encounter site is located 20 km from Amritsar and about 10 km from the Pakistan border.
Encounter
Second suspect fired for an hour before being shot
The security officials reached Bhakna around noon where both the suspects had been hiding.
The area was cordoned off as the police warned villagers to stay indoors.
Ambulances arrived on the site after Roopa was killed.
Kussa fired for an hour before being shot dead at around 4 pm.
A news channel's camera person has also been injured, as per media reports.
Twitter Post
Area converted to a cantonment by Punjab Police
#UPDATE: As per Punjab Police source, Gangster Jagroop Roopa has been killed in encounter and Manpreet Kussa continue firing on Police personnel with AK-47. Three police personnels also injured in this encounter. pic.twitter.com/DQ6V1Yjse9
— Nikhil Choudhary (@NikhilCh_) July 20, 2022
Suspects
Who are the suspects?
Both Roopa and Kussa were reportedly part of the 'Jaggu Bhawanpuria' gang.
Kussa operated in the Majha district of Punjab and was a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is under police remand for Moosewala's killing.
Both the alleged shooters had been on the run with another accused, Deepak Mundi, who is yet to be tracked down by the police.