AMRITSAR: In a major breakthrough in the probe into the killing of on-duty ASI Harjeet Singh, Amritsar Police shot dead one of the alleged suspects in an encounter on Saturday night.Deceased Deepak Singh, resident of Mule Chak village, sustained firearm injuries in an exchange of fire in the area under Islamabad police station and later died at a hospital, police commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said.According to Gill, two suspects were signalled to stop at a police naka at 10.25pm, but allegedly opened fire and fled towards another naka. At the next naka, they again fired four rounds at the police party, which retaliated in self-defence. Deepak was injured in the ensuing exchange, while his accomplice fled, Gill said.Police said Deepak was identified during the investigation using CCTV footage, technical inputs, tower-dump analysis, local intelligence and human sources.The encounter followed the Sept 18 killing of Harjeet, who was shot while performing PCR duty in Dana Mandi area under Gate Hakima police station. An FIR was registered under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.Police seized a .30-bore pistol, two magazines, eight live cartridges, a mobile phone and a Honda Activa scooter allegedly used in the killing, Gill said.An investigation is under way to trace the other accused and establish their roles in the murder.Harjeet, 55, was shot at 12.30am on Sept 18 after a gunman allegedly followed him on a two-wheeler and fired at the back of his neck. He died during treatment.DGP Gaurav Yadav had visited the crime scene and reviewed the investigation with senior officers. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore for the bereaved family.
