Punjab Police arrests Kingpin of Interstate highway robbery gang after gunfight, recovers pistol

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar (The Uttam Hindu): In a significant breakthrough, the SAS Nagar Police arrested the kingpin of a highway robbery and snatching gang following a brief exchange of gunfire near village Lehli. A .32 caliber pistol and five live cartridges were recovered from the accused's possession, announced Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, on Sunday. The arrested individual has been identified as Satpreet Singh alias Satti, a resident of Dandrala in SAS Nagar.

Authorities also seized the Platina motorcycle he was riding. According to DGP Yadav, Satti has a criminal record, with multiple cases of snatching and robbery against him. His gang primarily targeted halted vehicles on the Ambala-Dera Bassi highway, and was involved in several robberies and snatchings across Punjab and Haryana. Preliminary investigations revealed that Satti, along with three other accomplices, was involved in two recent late-night robberies on November 3 and 10, 2024, at gunpoint in the Lalru area of Dera Bassi Sub-Division. The incidents involved the theft of cash, mobile phones, and gold ornaments. Further investigations are underway to identify and arrest his associates, said the DGP. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar, Deepak Pareek, outlined that a credible tip-off led police to Satti’s gang, which matched the evidence collected from the recent robberies.

The team, led by DSP Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar, tracked Satti’s movements using both human and technical intelligence. When Satti, riding the motorcycle, was pursued, he opened fire on the police. Three shots struck the police vehicle, prompting return fire, which resulted in Satti sustaining a bullet wound to his right leg. A case, FIR No. 171, has been registered under sections 109, 132, and 221 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Lalru. The investigation is ongoing to capture the remaining members of the gang.