SONIPAT: Sonipat Police launched a crackdown on extortion, firing and illegal arms following a Rs 2-crore extortion demand and subsequent firing at a businessman’s office in Kharkhoda.Two alleged assailants were apprehended in an armed encounter after sustaining bullet injuries, police said on Friday.Police claimed to have recovered three country-made pistols and a Bajaj CT-100 motorcycle, allegedly used in the crime, from the accused.The injured suspects were identified as Ankit (21), son of Deepak, a resident of Bhatana village under Mohana police station and currently residing in Pragati Nagar, Sonipat, and Harsh (19), son of Pawan, a resident of Lehrara village under Sadar Sonipat police station.Both were shifted to CHC Kharkhoda for medical treatment.The operation was carried out under the directions of Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal, IPS, and under the guidance of Sonipat police commissioner Mamta Singh, IPS, ADGP, with supervision from DCP Crime Narendra Kadian, IPS.According to Kharkhoda SHO Anil Kumar, the incident began around 9.23pm on September 10, when Kharkhoda resident Deepak received a call from an unidentified number.The caller allegedly claimed to be associated with the Nandu gang and demanded Rs 2 crore in extortion money, threatening to kill Deepak if the money was not paid.Around half an hour after the extortion call, police received information that two to three motorcycle-borne youths had opened fire at Deepak’s office on Khanda Road, Kharkhoda.“On receiving the information, a police team from Kharkhoda police station immediately reached the spot. Given the seriousness of the incident, senior police officers and the concerned CIA and SAUG teams were alerted,” SHO Anil Kumar said.Police said three empty cartridge cases were recovered from the spot, while bullet impact marks were found on the main gate and wall of the office. Investigators collected forensic evidence from the scene and incorporated it into the probe.A case was registered at Kharkhoda police station as FIR No. 509, dated September 11, 2026, at 1.52am, under Sections 287, 3(5) and 308(5) of the BNS and Section 25 of the Arms Act.Following the firing incident, an alert was circulated across the district through the police control room. The SAUG Sector-07 team subsequently launched a pursuit after spotting suspected motorcycle-borne youths.According to police, the chase culminated in an armed confrontation near Harsana village on NH-334B, where the suspects allegedly exchanged fire with the police team.Both suspects sustained bullet injuries during the encounter and were subsequently taken into custody, police said. The two injured accused were later shifted to CHC Kharkhoda for treatment.Police and SAUG personnel recovered three country-made pistols from the accused along with the Bajaj CT-100 motorcycle.Investigators are now attempting to establish the source of the weapons and determine whether the firearms were used in any previous criminal incidents.Police are also probing the alleged criminal network behind the extortion demand and the subsequent attack.Sonipat police spokesperson ASI Ravinder Singh said a separate case had been registered in connection with the alleged firing on the police party during the encounter.“FIR No. 285 dated September 11, 2026 has been registered at Sadar Sonipat police station under Sections 132, 121(1), 221, 109(1) and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act,” he said.ACP Crime Rajpal Singh, HPS, said police teams were mobilised immediately after the extortion and firing incidents were reported.He said the SAUG Sector-07 team pursued the suspected motorcycle-borne youths after the alert was circulated through the control room. The pursuit eventually led to the encounter near Harsana, where both suspects were apprehended after sustaining injuries.According to Rajpal Singh, the recovery of three country-made pistols and the motorcycle has added important leads to the investigation.Police are now questioning the accused to establish the source of the weapons, their possible links with other criminals and the larger network allegedly operating behind the extortion bid.The alleged connection with the Nandu gang has emerged as one of the key aspects of the investigation. Police are examining whether the extortion call, the firing at the office and the two arrested suspects are part of a larger organised criminal network.Under the leadership of police commissioner Mamta Singh, IPS, ADGP, Sonipat Police has reiterated its resolve to take stringent action against extortionists, illegal arms dealers, shooters and organised criminal networks operating in the district.Police officials said individuals attempting to terrorise the public through extortion threats or armed attacks would face strict legal action.
