Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Rudrapur: A wanted criminal, Jaswinder Singh alias Chhinder, was injured in a police encounter in the Kelakhera area of Udham Singh Nagar district. The accused, who had earlier opened fire on forest officials in the Peepal Padav Range of Gadarpur, was shot in the leg during the exchange. An illegal pistol and live cartridges were recovered from him. District’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manikant Mishra said, “Criminals should mend their ways or be ready to face the consequences.”
On September 6, 2024, a group of armed criminals indiscriminately fired at a Forest Department patrol team in Peepal Padav Range, injuring the ranger and other personnel. Based on a complaint by Ranger Roop Narayan Gautam, an FIR was registered against multiple accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Forest Protection Act.
The police had already arrested some of the accused, including Gurmeet Singh alias Geji, Sarvjeet Singh alias Chhabbi, and Swarn Singh alias Sonu alias Chikna. Another key accused, Sangat Singh alias Sangi, was arrested on November 6, 2024, after being injured in a police encounter.
On the intervening night of February 1 and 2, police raided Gadarpur to arrest Karan Singh and Jaswinder Singh alias Chhinder. While Karan Singh was arrested on the spot, Jaswinder fired at the police and fled towards Beriya village on a motorcycle. Acting on an alert from the Gadarpur police, the Kelakhera police set up a roadblock. When Jaswinder was signaled to stop near the dam gate, he opened fire on the police party. The police retaliated in self-defense, hitting him in the leg.
Following his arrest, police recovered a .32 bore pistol, four live cartridges, two empty cartridges, and a motorcycle. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and a fresh FIR under the Arms Act was registered against him at Kelakhera police station.
SSP Mishra further said, “Jaswinder has multiple cases against him, including FIRs for attacking forest officials, illegal timber theft, and arms possession”.
