Panchkula, June 4
A late-night shooting incident in Panchkula’s Sector 5 area escalated into a police encounter on Wednesday, leaving two alleged shooters injured after they opened fire on a local resident and later engaged in gunfire with pursuing police teams.
According to police, Ratan Lubana, the brother-in-law of a municipal ward councilor, was attacked around midnight while he was leaving a commercial establishment near Swiss Lounge. Two assailants on a Pulsar motorcycle reportedly opened fire, discharging around eight rounds. Lubana sustained a bullet injury during the attack.
During the incident, two cartridges reportedly fell on the spot while the attackers were reloading their weapons. The shooters fled the scene towards the Yamunanagar highway immediately after the firing.
A police Detective Staff personnel member present nearby quickly initiated a pursuit and alerted the control rooms, following which teams from the Detective Unit, Crime Branch-26, and the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) established barricades near the Mattawala flyover.
As the accused attempted to break through the blockade, they allegedly opened fire at police teams near Bela Vista Chowk and the Nada Sahib area. Police responded by intercepting their motorcycle, which led to an exchange of gunfire.
During the encounter, both accused sustained gunshot injuries to their knees. They were first taken to a government hospital in Panchkula and later referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, due to heavy bleeding.
Police have identified the accused as Jaswinder, a resident of Ludhiana, and Harpreet, a resident of Hoshiarpur, both in Punjab. Officials said both are suspected operatives linked to the criminal networks of Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara. Jaswinder reportedly faces prior charges of attempted murder.
Authorities said approximately 18 rounds were fired during the entire incident, including both the initial attack and the subsequent exchange with police. Two semi-automatic pistols with loaded magazines were recovered from the accused.
Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarinder Singh confirmed that both suspects were apprehended within two hours of the incident following coordinated action by multiple police units. He added that one civilian was also injured during the firing.
Further investigation is underway to determine the broader network and motive behind the attack.
