CHANDIGARH, India: Seven freedom fighters were Among the 10 persons killed while two bodies with marks of injuries from sharp-edged weapons were found in Punjab during the past24 hours.
Four freedom fighters were killed in an encounter with the police near a canal bridge at Rasulpur Village in Ludhiana district early this morning.
Five freedom fighters, when » challenged by the police, started firing. In the ensuing exchange of fire, three freedom fighters were killed and one was injured. He jumped into a canal and was presumed to be dead, though the body has not been recovered so far. The fifth freedom fighter escaped.
AUS, made carbine, a Chinese pistol and cartridges were recovered from their possession.
Two freedom fighters were gunned down in an encounter with the security forces at Brar Village under Lopoke police station in Amritsar district. They were identified as category “B”, Surinder Singh Sodhi and Resham Singh, alias Rashhpal Singh, alias D.C.
The security forces on a tipoff raided the house of Harbhajan Singh. The two freedom fighters, hiding inside, fired at the security forces. In the ensuing shootout the two freedom fighters were killed.
Both Sodhi, and Resham Singh belonged to the “KCF” and were working under the group led by Malkiat Singh Ajnala.
Sodhi was wanted in about 50 cases of killing in Amritsar district since the pre-Operation Bluestar period. Several cases of killing were pending against Resham Singh too.
In another encounter in Amritsar district one of the three freedom fighters were killed at Palsaura village under Tarn Taran police station last night. He was Tater identified as a Category “B”, Gurbhej Singh. His two accomplices escaped.
The Jullundur SSP has said that all five suspects involved in the killing of six persons at Alawalpur near Jullundur last month have been identified. He has named them as Charanjit Singh, younger brother of “Panthic Committee” member Dhanna Singh arrested last year; Bhikhi, a brother of freedom fighter Lember Singh, who was killed in a police fake encounter; Kulwant Singh, Ratan Singh and Harmel Singh Sidhu, all ‘members of the “KCP”.
Suspected gunmen looted more than Rs, 2.35 lakh in various incidents,
One freedom fighter was arrested afire a brief encounter and 44 persons were apprehended by the BSF while they were crossing over to India from Pakistan.
The security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including AK47 Chinese assault rifles from them Reghunathan, a laborer who was seriously injured in a bomb blast at shop in Hoshiarpur district, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
In Sangrur, ultras looted a cooperative bank of more than Rs. 2 Jakh. In Jullundur they looted two grameen banks of Rs. 13978 and Rs, 20,000 and a liquor vend of Rs, 1400.
According to a report from Amritsar, the 44 apprehended persons included 27 intruders from Pakistan who were caught near the Mahwa post and 17 others were described as Bangladeshis who were apprehended near Rorewala ‘post when they attempted to cross ‘over to Pakistan. ‘The apprehended persons were handed over to the police.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 20, 1987
