Chandigarh: One of the two accused arrested on Thursday for the kidnapping of a seven-year-old boy from a Ludhiana village, sustained bullet injuries on Friday while attempting to flee from police custody by opening fire at the police party using the pistol retrieved from the spot and the police retaliated in self-defence.

The accused, Harpreet Singh, one of the two accused arrested for the kidnapping of the boy, sustained bullet injuries while attempting to escape police custody during a follow-up operation to recover illegal weapons near village Salar, police said and added that the accused was hit in his leg and was taken to the Civil Hospital, Malerkotla, for treatment. Police teams have recovered a .32 caliber pistol along with two cartridges from the spot. 

It may be recalled that the development came a day after Punjab police successfully rescued Bhawkirat Singh from Seehan Daud (Khanna) within 24 hours of his abduction with the arrest of two accused persons identified as Harpreet Singh, 24, and Ravi Bhinder, 21. Their accomplice identified as Jaspreet Singh of village Seehan Daud, was neutralised in retaliatory action after he attempted to flee in a Fortuner SUV and opened fire on the police at village Mandour on Nabha Road on Thursday.

In recognition of the swift action, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav had announced Rs 10 lakh cash reward and promotions for the police personnel involved in the operation. Pertinently, the operation was conducted jointly by the police teams of three districts including Ludhiana, Malerkotla and Patiala.