Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Mohali Police have arrested four alleged operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in connection with a series of firing incidents linked to extortion demands, recovering five automatic pistols, including two foreign-made weapons, 12 live cartridges and a Fortuner car fitted with temporary registration numbers.
Senior Superintendent of Police, SAS Nagar, Varun Sharma said the arrests were made under the directions of Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav and DIG Ropar Range Nanak Singh.
According to the police, the accused were involved in firing at residential properties in Mohali after victims allegedly received extortion demands of Rs 5 crore from Kulvir Singh Sidhu, who is stated by the police to be operating from abroad.
The first incident took place during the intervening night of September 4 and 5, when two unidentified motorcycle-borne men allegedly fired automatic weapons at the residence of Sanyam Judeja at Phase 10, Mohali. Police said Judeja had earlier received a Rs 5-crore extortion demand from Kulvir Singh Sidhu.
A case was registered at Phase 11 police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
On September 7, another firing incident was reported at the residence of Baljit Singh, partner of Sanyam Judeja, in Phase 10. Police said two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire after Baljit Singh was allegedly threatened with a Rs 5-crore extortion demand.
A separate case was registered at Phase 11 police station in connection with the incident.
The third incident took place on September 14 at the residence of Jagdeep Singh Mann in Sector 104, Mohali. Police said two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at the house after Mann allegedly received a Rs 5-crore extortion demand from Kulvir Singh Sidhu.
During the firing, Sachin, a worker at Mann’s residence, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. A case was subsequently registered at Sohana police station.
To trace the accused, teams led by CIA Staff in-charge Inspector Pradeep Singh Bajwa and Operation Cell Mohali in-charge Inspector Harminder Singh worked under the supervision of SP Operations Akashdeep Aulakh, SP Investigation Saurav Jindal and DSP Investigation Rajan Parminder Singh.
Police said the teams had been working on the case since the incidents were reported and used technical inputs and human intelligence to identify and track the suspects. The investigation led to the arrest of four accused along with the weapons allegedly used in the crimes.
The arrested accused have been identified as Akashdeep Singh, 23, of Sector 35-A, Chandigarh; Praveen Kumar alias Kalu, 23, of Lehra Sodha village in Bathinda district; Jasmandeep Singh, 20, of Ansal Colony, Sector 114, Kharar; and Dushant Sharma alias Shammi, 27, of Sheikhpura village in Yamunanagar district, Haryana.
Police said Akashdeep Singh has studied up to Class VIII, while Praveen Kumar has passed Class XII. Jasmandeep Singh is unemployed, while Dushant Sharma has an M.P.Ed qualification. All four are unmarried, according to the police.
The police have recovered two foreign-made PX-series .30-bore pistols, three other .30-bore pistols, 12 live cartridges and a Fortuner car allegedly used before and after the firing incidents.
During interrogation, police said the accused disclosed that they were members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and were in regular contact with gangster Ravinder Singh alias Kali of Balongi, who is lodged in Burail Jail.
Police further claimed that Ravinder Singh was operating the gang from jail and that the accused were also in contact with Kulvir Singh Sidhu, who has been described by police as a gangster/terrorist based abroad.
Investigators said Jasmandeep Singh allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the targeted houses before the firing incidents, while Dushant Sharma allegedly handled the weapons used in the crimes.
Police said Akashdeep Singh, Praveen Kumar and another associate, Simardeep Singh alias Jashan of Chhajju Majra Colony, Kharar, allegedly carried out the firing. Simardeep Singh is yet to be arrested.
Police also said Ravinder Singh alias Kali was being brought on production warrant on Thursday. The arrested accused will be taken on police remand for further questioning about their alleged involvement in other incidents.
According to the police, further arrests and recovery of additional illegal weapons are possible as the investigation progresses.
FOLLOW NOW
