Punjab: Drug smuggler nabbed for ‘terror links’

CHANDIGARH: The Tarn Taran police on Monday nabbed a wanted drug smuggler and gangster Rashpal Singh, who is suspected of having terrorist links. ASI Malkit Singh overpowered Rakshpal after a chase even after being shot in the leg. He is npw admitted in a private hospital at Bhikhiwind treatment and is stated to be out of danger.
An accomplice of Rashpal, from Bhuchar Kalan in Tarn Taran district, managed to flee from the spot but a country-made semi-automatic pistol, two magazines, six live rounds and a Bullet motorcycle were found, said DGP Dinkar Gupta.A manhunt had been launched for the accomplice, he added.
Rashpal had allegedly established links with terrorists and was wanted in several cases, including eight FIRs registered against him under various provisions of the NDPS Act and Arms Act in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Mohali. Several weapons and commercial quantities of drugs had been seized from him in the past too.
ASI Malkit and home guard Ranjit Singh, both posted at police station Bhikhiwind, had on Monday gone to Phoola village to enquire about a motorcycle theft complaint. On their way back, they saw two suspicious persons riding a motorcycle and stopped them for verification. During questioning, Rashpal tried to flee and was challenged by the ASI. He fired four rounds at the ASI and one bullet hit him in the right leg. But ASI Malkit overpowered Rashpal with the help of Ranjit.