The two accused arrested after a police encounter late Tuesday had allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the residence of a property dealer in Pandori Waraich village on the directions of Portugal-based fugitive Badalpreet Singh, police sources said.
According to the sources, Badalpreet, a native of Pandori Waraich village, is allegedly running an extortion racket from Portugal and is suspected of operating at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI.
He is also wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the grenade attack on the Thakurdwara temple in the early hours of March 15 last year. The NIA had earlier carried out raids at his residence in the village. Five persons were arrested in the case, while one of the alleged grenade attackers was killed in a police encounter two days after the incident.
The Amritsar rural police on Tuesday arrested two alleged assailants following a brief exchange of fire near Bhaini village. The accused, identified as Gurlal Singh and Krishan Singh, both residents of Bal Khurd village, were wanted in connection with the petrol bomb attack on the house of Vikram Singh in Pandori Waraich on Sunday.
Gurlal sustained a bullet injury during the exchange of fire, while Krishan was arrested unhurt. The duo has also been booked in a fresh case of attempt to murder for allegedly firing at the police team. They were produced before a court on Wednesday, which remanded them to three days of police custody.
The police said three petrol bombs were hurled at Vikram Singh’s residence on Sunday. Though no one was injured, the attack caused extensive damage to the house.
Investigators said they received specific information about the movement of the accused, who were travelling on a motorcycle from Bhaini village towards the Baoli village bus stand. A police team set up a checkpoint and signalled them to stop. However, the accused allegedly opened fire at the police party in an attempt to escape, following which the police retaliated in self-defence. Gurlal suffered a bullet injury during the exchange of fire.
The police sources said Vikram Singh had earlier received an extortion call from Badalpreet, who allegedly demanded Rs 30 lakh and threatened him with serious consequences if the money was not paid. The petrol bomb attack is suspected to have been carried out to intimidate the victim and pressurise him into meeting the extortion demand.
Following the attack, the police registered an FIR and launched a probe, which led to identification and arrest of the two accused. A pistol was recovered from them, and the bike allegedly used in the crime was also seized.