Punjab Police arrests gangster after brief encounter in Moga

In a significant breakthrough against organized crime, the Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Moga Police, arrested an operative linked to foreign-based gangsters Gaurav alias Lucky Patyal and Davinderpal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria of the Davinder Bambiha Gang. The operation, conducted in Moga city, resulted in the capture of the accused after a brief exchange of fire, said Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday.

The arrested individual has been identified as Malkit Singh alias Manu, a resident of Dosanjh Talwandi in Moga. Police teams recovered a .32 caliber pistol along with four cartridges from his possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed that Manu, an active member of the Davinder Bambiha Gang, has a criminal record with at least seven cases registered against him, including murder, attempted murder, violations under the NDPS Act, and the Arms Act.

He further stated that on the orders of jailed gangster Dharminder Baji, Malkit Singh alias Manu, along with his accomplice Manpreet Singh alias Mani, carried out an attack on a rival in Kapura village, Moga, on February 19, 2025. The attack resulted in one fatality, while a woman sustained a bullet injury. Additionally, Manu was involved in a firing incident at Raja Dhaba in Jagraon on February 26, 2025, which was orchestrated by foreign-based gangster Lucky Patial.

DGP Yadav confirmed that investigations are ongoing to uncover further links in the case.

Providing details of the operation, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban stated that based on human and technical intelligence, special AGTF teams, under the supervision of AIG Gurmeet Chauhan and DSP Bikramjit Brar, tracked down the accused at a rented accommodation near Dosanjh Road, Moga.

During the raid, Manu attempted to evade arrest by opening fire at the police, prompting the team to retaliate. He sustained bullet injuries in the exchange and was initially admitted to a local hospital before being referred to Baba Farid Medical College in Faridkot for further treatment.

ADGP Ban added that a .32 caliber pistol with four cartridges was recovered from Manu’s possession.

AIG Gurmeet Chauhan stated that preliminary investigations suggest Manu was assigned to execute a high-profile crime in the Tricity area on behalf of his foreign-based handlers, Lucky Patyal and Gopi Lahoria.

Meanwhile, SSP Moga Ajay Gandhi confirmed that a fresh FIR (No. 52) dated 12/3/2025 has been registered under sections 109, 132, 221, and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25(6) and 25(7) of the Arms Act at Police Station City Moga. Further investigations are underway.