Mohali: CIA Staff of Mohali Police arrested two alleged shooters linked to gangster Gaurav Patial alias Lucky Patial in connection with multiple firing and extortion cases reported in the district in 2024. The accused had been absconding since last year, police said.The arrested men were identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Koki (34), a resident of Padhol village under Mullanpur Garibdas police station in Mohali, and Gurdeep Singh alias Gill (28), a resident of Gill Patti Kothe Chand Giddri village in Maur under Sehna police station in Barnala district. Both have been remanded in three days of police custody.SP (Investigation) Saurav Jindal said the accused were involved in several incidents of firing at houses and vehicles in Mullanpur village and Phase 11, Mohali, during 2024. The shootings were allegedly carried out on the directions of gangster Lucky Patial to extort money from victims.During preliminary interrogation, the accused revealed that they were acting at the behest of the gangster, who is reportedly operating from abroad. “They carried out firing incidents to create fear among victims and to force them to pay extortion money,” said the SP.Police said Gurpreet Singh alias Koki has a criminal history, with at least nine cases registered against him across Mohali, Barnala and Panchkula districts. These include cases related to firing, assault, arms offences, robbery and extortion. Gurdeep Singh alias Gill has three cases registered against him in Barnala and Mohali districts, mainly related to extortion and other criminal offences.Investigators said custodial interrogation of the accused would be used to recover the weapons allegedly used in the crimes and to establish links with other firing and extortion incidents. Police are also working to identify additional associates connected with the gangster’s network.Officials said further investigation is underway.BOX: Details of 2024 firing incidentsOne of the key cases dates to January 31, 2024, following a complaint by Taranjit Kaur, a resident near Tobha village in Mullanpur Garibdas. She alleged unidentified assailants fired at her house and a Toyota Fortuner parked outside.Police said her husband, a property dealer, had received a ransom call from gangster Lucky Patial on January 30, 2024, demanding Rs 1 crore. When the demand was not met, the shooters allegedly opened fire at their residence.A case was registered at Mullanpur police station under relevant IPC sections and the Arms Act against the gangster and unknown assailants.In another incident, reported on March 21, 2024, a Phase-11 resident complained that unidentified persons fired outside her residence during the night of February 20–21.Initially mistaken for firecrackers, the incident came to light when a family member noticed gunfire near a parked Ford Endeavour vehicle. A case was registered at Phase-11 police station under IPC sections related to endangering life and damage to property, along with provisions of the Arms Act.MSID:: 130002540 413 |
