In a significant crackdown on organised crime, Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has arrested Nilson Massih alias Sunny, a close aide of notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on Sunday.
Massih was wanted in connection with the high-profile shootout at Ghoman Batala, which led to the killing of Gora Bariar and left Billa Mandiala injured. According to officials, Massih has an extensive criminal history, with multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, robbery, snatching, and Arms Act violations.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that Massih maintained regular contact with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and acted on his instructions to orchestrate the targeted killing of Gora Bariar. The crime was executed with the help of three accomplices, the police said. The accused has been handed over to the Batala Police for further investigation, and efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved.
In a separate operation on May 25, the AGTF, in coordination with the Ferozepur Police, arrested three members of the Ashish Chopra Gang — Manpreet Singh alias Mannu, Ramandeep Singh (both from Ferozepur), and Sonu (from Faridkot). These arrests are linked to the double murder of Rishabh and Shalu, fallout of ongoing gang rivalry between the Nata Gang and the Ashish Chopra Gang.
The police recovered three pistols, seven live cartridges, and four used shells from the accused. DGP Yadav said during interrogation, the accused also confessed to their involvement in another murder case, in which Yotham was shot dead. Manpreet Mannu has been identified as the prime shooter in that case.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban detailed the coordinated operation. Acting on intelligence inputs, AGTF teams led by DSP Rajan Parminder, along with the Ferozepur Police, raided a hideout in Gulabe Wala village, Sri Muktsar Sahib, where Ramandeep Singh and Sonu were located. The accused attempted to flee and opened fire at the police but were apprehended after a brief chase.
A criminal case has been registered under sections 109, 132, and 22 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadar Sri Muktsar Sahib.
In a separate incident, Manpreet Mannu was intercepted in Ferozepur. He opened fire at the police in an attempt to evade arrest but was injured in retaliatory firing and taken into custody. His Hero HF Deluxe motorcycle was also seized. A separate FIR has been lodged against him under section 109 of the BNS and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Ferozepur.
Investigations continue to identify other members of these gangs and uncover their operational networks.
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