AGTF nabs gangster’s aide in Batala murder

In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab apprehended close aide of Gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria in connection with the sensational shootout took place at Ghuman in Batala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Nilson Massih alias Sunny, a resident of village Athwal in Gurdaspur. The arrested accused has a long criminal history and has been facing at least seven criminal cases including charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery, snatching, and violations of the Arms Act.

As per the information, the sensational shootout took place outside the Petrol Pump located at Ghuman-Shri Hargobindpur road at village Ghuman in Batala in the evening of May 26, 2025, had resulted in the killing of Gurpreet singh Gora alias Gora Bariar and injuries to Billa Mandiala.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary interrogation has revealed that arrested accused Massih was in regular contact with Gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Acting on Bhagwanpuria’s directions, he orchestrated the murder of Gora Bariar. Accused Massih, along with his three associates, had carried out this attack, he said.

The DGP said that further investigations are underway to track down and apprehend the remaining accused persons in this case. The arrested person has been handed over to Batala Police for further action, he added.

Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that following the secret input the presence of the key accused involved in Gora Bariar murder case in the jurisdiction of Batala, the teams from AGTF unde the supervision of DSP Rajan Parminder along with teams of Batala Police launched an intel-based operation and apprehended the accused person Nilson Massih from Qadian-Batala road near village Shahbad.

The ADGP said that further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case.

A case FIR 89 dated 26.5.25 had been registered under sections 103, 109, 111 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Ghuman in Batala.