Within the first such assertion on police motion in the state, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav stated in November final yr that since April 2022, a month after the Aam Aadmi Get together shaped the federal government in Punjab, the state police had recorded “324 encounters with gangsters”, ensuing in the dying of 24 and arrest of 515.
“Of the 515 gangsters arrested… 319 sustained bullet accidents,” the DGP stated.
Yadav’s assertion adopted a discover issued by the Nationwide Human Rights Fee (NHRC) to the Punjab Residence Secretary, looking for an Motion Taken Report on allegations of “state-sanctioned extra-judicial killings”. Two months on, the state has not filed a reply.
Within the interval since Yadav shared the info, the variety of encounters in Punjab has continued, because the AAP authorities feels the warmth over gang violence and brazen shootings.
Within the three-month interval between November 2025 and January 2026, police information investigated by The Indian Specific present, the Punjab Police reported 34 encounters — or a little over one each three days — ensuing in 5 deaths and accidents to 45. Of those, 15 occurred final month alone.
Officers of the state authorities, Residence Division and Punjab Police didn’t reply to queries regardless of repeated makes an attempt, together with a written questionnaire despatched on Tuesday.
The circumstances present a number of similarities, with self-defence the commonest chorus by police. Greater than a third of the encounters occurred when the accused have been in custody; in a number of, police stated the “handcuffed” accused, when taken for “restoration”, grabbed a hidden weapon and opened fireplace.
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In at the least eight of those incidents, police personnel have been shot at underneath “indiscriminate” firing. However policemen bought saved, information state, “due to bulletproof jackets”. At different occasions, bullets struck police automobiles.
In round half of the encounters, police stated they arrange checkpoints primarily based on tip-offs, ensuing in a shootout. At the very least 34 accused suffered gunshot accidents in such shootouts.
Of their studies, police say they shot on the accused in the ft or legs, solely after issuing warnings, and after the latter had “opened fireplace”. The recoveries have been largely .30-.32 bore (overseas or country-made) pistols.
The encounters have been unfold throughout the state — Bathinda, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, 1 every; 2 every in Patiala, Batala, Khanna, Ferozepur, Mohali, Tarn Taran and Jalandhar; and 5 in Ludhiana; with Amritsar district at 9 seeing essentially the most such encounters.
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In July 2025, The Indian Specific reported how the primary seven months of the yr had seen 20 encounters in which the accused have been already in custody and have been being taken by police for “restoration”. The encounters had led to 5 deaths. It was on the premise of this that an advocate went to the NHRC.
In 2024, the Punjab Police reported 64 encounters, resulting in deaths of 4, together with one police personnel. Fifty-six accused and 9 police personnel have been injured in the incidents.
The newest encounter was in Moga on Sunday, when police arrested two males accused of final week’s firing on migrant staff, after an change of fireplace.
Advocate Nikhil Saraf, who approached the NHRC towards the alleged faux encounters in Punjab, stated: “In line with instructions issued by the Supreme Courtroom, in the occasion of a police encounter in which the accused sustains grievous accidents, an FIR should be registered and an investigation carried out… by a police officer of a rank senior to the top of the police get together concerned in the encounter. If casualty is reported, inquiry by a Justice of the Peace is a should. However nothing is being adopted in Punjab.”
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Sarbjit Singh Verka, who has been pursuing alleged faux encounter instances in the state for the reason that Nineties, stated there was “political shelter” for a similar. “Even when an encounter is clear, a correct inquiry is required legally. The judiciary ought to take discover of such encounters provided that the small print are virtually similar.”
- November 2025: Self-defence the chorus
November 11: Harkaran Singh and Gurtej Singh, wished for a homicide, have been injured in an encounter with the Khanna police. Then Khanna SSP Jyoti Yadav stated Harkaran “opened fireplace at a police get together… when taken for weapon restoration”, and struck a sub-inspector. “In self-defence, the S-I fired one spherical, which hit Harkaran Singh in the leg.” Gurtej reportedly bought injured leaping from the primary flooring.
November 12: The Dera Bassi police stated two members of the Goldy Dhillon gang – Sharanjit Singh and Aman Kumar – have been injured throughout an change of fireplace. SSP Harmandeep Hans stated the 2 tried to evade a police checkpoint and fired. “In retaliation, officers fired, with each accused shot in the legs.”
November 15: Police claimed to have arrested Arshdeep Singh, an alleged affiliate of the Prabh Dasuwal gang, following an encounter. “Performing on a tip‑off that he was in Faridkot and planning a main crime, police arrange a naka (checkpoint). When officers signalled his… motorbike to cease, he attacked the staff,” stated Faridkot police.
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November 19, 26: Police arrested Jatin Kali, the alleged mastermind in the November 15 homicide of Naveen Arora, the son of RSS employee Baldev Raj Arora, after an change of fireplace in Ferozepur district, together with three associates.
Police stated: “Our staff seen a fast-moving motorbike… The rider ignored the sign to cease.” SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu stated: “As police chased, the rider opened fireplace… Police personnel returned fireplace, leaving Kali injured.”
Within the second encounter in the identical case, on November 26, police arrested Badal, the alleged primary shooter, from Zira. In line with the Ferozepur police, when a staff was with Badal at Mamu Joya village for “restoration”, two of his accomplices “hiding there” opened fireplace. Deputy Inspector Basic, Ferozepur Vary, Harmanbir Singh stated: “A bullet hit a Head Constable. Police fired in retaliation, in which Badal was injured… He succumbed to his accidents.”
The 2 alleged attackers escaped, the DIG stated. Police stated one other of its males was fired at, however the bullet struck his bulletproof jacket.
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November 20: The Ludhiana police busted a “gangster-terror module”, allegedly backed by the ISI and “with hyperlinks to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi”, with the arrest of Deepak and Ram Lal following an change of fireplace in the Ladhowal space. Ram Lal was injured.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma stated the 2 opened fireplace after they have been intercepted following a tip-off. “Some bullets hit a police automobile,” the officer stated.
November 20: The identical day, the Amritsar police claimed to have foiled a homicide with the encounter killing of “infamous gangster” Harjinder Singh, who had bought out of jail 13 days earlier. Police stated Harjinder was shot “in self-defence” after he and his confederate opened fireplace at a police checkpoint. Officers stated one of many bullets hit a police automobile.
November 23: Harpreet Singh and Gautam Badshah of Nabha, allegedly related to the Bambiha gang, have been injured in an encounter. Patiala SSP Varun Sharma stated they arrange a checkpoint primarily based on a tip-off. “Requested to give up, the 2 accused… fired (at police). The cops, exhibiting utmost restraint, responded and shot each of them in their decrease physique.”
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November 23: The identical day, Malkit Singh was injured when allegedly making an attempt to flee Batala police custody. DGP Yadav stated that they had arrested Malkit and Vijay Masih, “key associates of gangster Amrit Dalaam”. Simply then, stated police, Malkit opened fireplace utilizing a “hidden weapon”. “He was overpowered after a temporary change of fireplace.”
November 26: The Batala Police captured an alleged gang member and theft accused, Kawaljit Singh, following an “encounter”. “Primarily based on investigations, police groups managed to intercept the accused… When police groups tried to apprehend him, the latter opened fireplace,” stated DIG, Border Vary, Sandeep Goel, including that Kawaljit was shot in his left leg.
December 2025: Focusing on the leg
December 4: Alleged shooter Daler Singh, wished for homicide, was injured in an encounter whereas in police custody in Amritsar. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated, “Daler was taken by police for the restoration of a pistol. He pulled out a weapon from the bushes and fired on the staff.” Police stated Daler was lastly shot in the appropriate leg.
December 6: The Sri Muktsar Sahib Police claimed to have solved the kidnapping-murder of a minor woman inside hours, and arrested the accused, Mukesh Kumar, following an encounter. As per police, “the accused opened fireplace attempting to flee”.
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December 12: The Moga police claimed to have held an aide of US-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal, Gurbinder Singh alias Gindi, following an change of fireplace, leaving Gindi injured. Moga SSP Ajay Gandhi stated “the accused opened fireplace at a police get together when intercepted”.
December 12: The identical day, Rohin Mansih, an alleged confederate of gangster Amrit Dalam, was held after an “encounter” with Ludhiana police. DCP Jaskiranjit Singh Teja stated: “Police laid a lure to catch the duo, who opened fireplace.” Masih was shot in the leg.
December 15: The Amritsar Rural police claimed to have cracked a number of extortion and theft instances following the arrest of Vanshpreet Singh and Bhupinder Singh, after an change of fireplace in Ajnala.
Police stated that appearing on a tip-off, they arrange a naka at Chaharpur village. The occupants sped away on recognizing them, with police giving chase. Within the subsequent change of fireplace, the lads narrowly escaped, however one of many accused was shot in the leg, DIG, Border Vary, Sandeep Goel stated.
December 17: An accused, Nirmaljot Singh, was injured allegedly throughout weapon restoration in Amritsar. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated, “Performing on particular inputs, police arrested Nirmaljot Singh, Manpreet Singh and Karandeep Singh. Through the restoration of a country-made pistol, Nirmaljot pushed a police guard, snatched a carbine and tried to fireside at police personnel.” ASI Navtej Singh returned fireplace in self-defence, capturing Nirmaljot in the left leg.
December 26: Amritpal Singh Roni was injured throughout an “encounter” when taken by the Amritsar Metropolis police for weapon restoration close to a cremation floor. “The accused instantly picked up the pistol and fired at ASI Jaibir Singh… In self-defence, ASI Talwinder Singh fired a spherical,” stated Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.
December 27: Two accused who allegedly opened fireplace at a sarpanch of Rajgarh village have been held after an “encounter” by Khanna police. Then Khanna SSP Jyoti Yadav stated police had laid a lure to apprehend Inderjit Singh and Gurvir Singh, however they “tried to flee”. The SSP stated police held Gurvir after a chase, however Inderjit opened fireplace, and two bullets hit the police automobile. Police retaliated, and Inderjit was injured in the leg, Yadav stated.
December 28: The Hoshiarpur police arrested three theft accused following an “encounter” in a forest space close to Garhshankar. DSP Daljeet Singh Khakh stated, “When signalled to cease, the accused opened fireplace. Police retaliated after issuing warnings. Onkar Singh, alias Gora, sustained a bullet damage.”
January 2026: Try and flee
January 6: Harnur, allegedly a shut affiliate of gangsters Prabh Dasuwal and Afridi, was killed in an encounter in Tarn Taran district. DIG, Border Vary, Snehdeep Sharma stated, “Performing on a tip-off that Noor was travelling on a motorbike, a joint staff intercepted him, (however) he opened fireplace. A bullet struck a police personnel, however he escaped resulting from his bulletproof jacket. Noor suffered severe accidents, and succumbed to them.”
January 7: The Amritsar Police stated that accused Gurpeet Singh Lal was injured throughout an encounter as he tried to flee when taken for weapon restoration. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated: “Lal was taken close to Batala Highway… The accused opened fireplace. Taking retaliatory motion, police shot on the accused.”
January 12: Three alleged operatives of the Rohit Godara gang have been held after “an change of fireplace” with the Ludhiana Police. Commissioner Swapan Sharma stated, “The trio tried to interrupt a checkpoint and opened fireplace… Police fired in self-defence.” The 2 who sustained bullet accidents have been recognized as Sumit Kumar and Sanju.
January 14: Sukhraj Singh alias Gunga, a key accused linked to the Prabh Dasuwal gang and believed to be concerned in a number of killings, died after he was shot, allegedly making an attempt to grab a service pistol in the Vallah space of Amritsar.
Police claimed two “unidentified motorcyclists” opened fireplace at them in a bid to free Gunga throughout “restoration proceedings”. Whereas one police personnel was injured, Gunga allegedly tried to wrest a pistol from ASI Harjinder Singh. Three pictures have been fired — one hitting a police automobile and two hanging Gunga, who died at hospital.
January 17: A gang member, Karan Pathak alias Karan ‘Defaulter’, arrested for the killing of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria, in entrance of a stadium full of individuals, was shot in an encounter.
Police claimed he had tried to flee their custody. In a assertion, police stated Pathak complained of extreme chest ache at night time, and was being taken to the hospital when he fled after the police van he was in hit a median. Police admitted Pathak was handcuffed on the time and escorted by three policemen. He was reportedly traced to a location in Kharar round 6 am and began capturing. Pathak was hit in the leg, police stated, whereas an officer was injured. Pathak succumbed to his accidents in hospital, police stated.
January 18: The Bathinda police claimed to have arrested Sewak Singh, wished for an alleged extortion demand of Rs 1 crore, after an “encounter” close to village Katar Singh Wala at a check-point arrange following a “tip-off”.
January 18: The identical day, two accused, Chandra Shekhar and Jaspal Singh, have been injured in an encounter whereas in Jalandhar police custody. SSP, Jalandhar Rural, Harvinder Singh Virk, stated that they had obtained data that these wished for a January 16 homicide would come to a website to retrieve their weapons. “Police groups cordoned off the world. When the police get together… was approaching… the accused retrieved the hidden weapons, and tried to flee, opening fireplace.”
Virk stated that whereas one bullet struck a police automobile, one other hit a tree, and a third missed the goal. Police fired in “self-defence”.
January 19: An encounter was reported from Doraha, Ludhiana. The police assertion stated: “Two criminals, travelling in a Scorpio, hit a police jeep. They fired three rounds, considered one of which hit an SHO in his chest, however he was saved resulting from his bulletproof jacket. In retaliation, the SHO fired again, in which one of many criminals, Harsimran alias Mand, was injured in the leg.”
January 20: The Fazilka police have been concerned in an “encounter” close to village Arniwala with gangster Preetpal Singh, wished in a homicide case, resulting in his arrest. Police stated that they had arrange a naka, and Preetpal opened fireplace. “He sustained a bullet damage in his knee and was apprehended on the spot,” DIG, Ferozepur Vary, Snehdeep Sharma stated.
January 20: The identical day, police shot alleged gangster Cash Prince following an encounter close to Attari, near the worldwide border. Police stated that appearing on a tip-off, they laid a lure in the world. DIG Sandeep Goyal stated that Prince noticed them and opened fireplace, “however bulletproof jackets protected our personnel”. He was killed in retaliatory fireplace, police stated.
January 22: Alleged gangster Harjinder Singh Ladi was injured in an encounter in Patiala. DIG Kuldeep Singh Chahal stated they arrange a checkpoint on a bypass following a tip-off. They tried to cease Harjinder, however he began capturing, police stated.
January 23: Following an encounter, the Jalandhar Rural police arrested Lovepreet Singh, wished for a December 2025 firing incident. “Performing on particular data, a police staff was conducting a search operation close to Alwalpur. The suspect was intercepted… however opened fireplace on the police get together… The accused sustained a bullet damage in his proper arm,” police stated.
January 23: The identical day, the Tarn Taran police stated that they had arrested alleged gangster Jagtar Singh alias Jagga Pattu after an encounter close to Kairon village. SSP, Tarn Taran, Surendra Lamba stated, “Police introduced Jagga Pattu to a canal close to village Kairon to recuperate a weapon, when the accused fired two rounds.”
January 24: The Anti-Narcotic Activity Pressure stated it arrested 4 alleged drug peddlers after an “change of fireplace” in Ludhiana’s Sadar police station jurisdiction. Police stated they recovered 305 grams of heroin, and stated the accused “tried to interrupt the police checkpoint… and opened fireplace”. “The cops retaliated in self-defence throughout which an accused, Taranpreet Singh, sustained a bullet damage in his waist,” stated police.
January 29: The Amritsar police stated an accused, Jobanjeet, tried to flee after snatching a police officer’s service pistol and, in the following battle, was shot in the leg. “The police get together had taken Jobanjeet alongside to search for his associates. The accused stated he was feeling unwell… As quickly as police stopped the automobile, he tried to grab a service weapon from considered one of our personnel,” Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated.
—With inputs from Divya Goyal Gopal
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