Punjab: Drug smuggler snatches policeman’s weapon, fires shot

Punjab: Dharminder Singh, who was arrested with 8.08 kg heroin, a .30 bore pistol and five bullets on Tuesday, was injured in the firing when the police took him to recover weapons and contraband hidden near Verka bypass on Wednesday. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that during interrogation, Dharminder Singh alias Sonu, a resident of Harsha Chhina village, told the police about the weapons and contraband hidden near Verka bypass. “When the police team reached the spot, he snatched the weapon of Head Constable Vijay Kumar. The Majitha SHO fired in the air and asked Dharminder to surrender. When he did not give in, the police fired in self-defence, injuring him,” Bhullar said. He was rushed to the civil hospital, he said. According to the police, Dharminder was in touch with smugglers across the border. He used to receive drug consignments through drones from Pakistan in the Ajnala sector. “We have identified his accomplice, who is yet to be arrested. Investigations are on to identify the person who was to receive the consignment,” he said.