Punjab Newsline | Ambala
A 25-year-old youth was shot dead after alleged cow smugglers opened fire late at night in Haryana’s Ambala district, mistaking him and his friend for police personnel amid an ongoing chase.
The incident took place around 2 AM near Tundla in the Panjokhra police station area. According to police, the smugglers, who were trying to evade a police blockade, panicked and fired indiscriminately at two youths approaching on a motorcycle.
The deceased has been identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Happy (25), a resident of Garnala village. He sustained a bullet injury to his eye and died on the spot. His friend, Nakshatra Singh, who was riding with him, managed to escape unhurt.
Police said Gurpreet and Nakshatra were returning home on a bike after finishing work at a canteen when they encountered the smugglers’ pickup vehicle near Tundla turn on Topkhana Road. A police team was already following the same vehicle.
In the darkness, the smugglers mistook the helmet-wearing youths for police officers and, believing they were surrounded, opened fire using a country-made pistol.
After the incident, the accused fled the scene, abandoning their pickup vehicle a short distance away. The vehicle reportedly contained a cow and a Buffalo, indicating involvement in illegal cattle transport. Around three smugglers were said to be in the vehicle.
Police also confirmed that their vehicle was damaged during the incident and that an encounter took place between the police and the fleeing smugglers.
A search operation has been launched to nab the accused, and further investigation is underway.
