Patiala, Jan. 6 -- Rupnagar Police on Monday foiled a targeted killing of an Italy-based citizen of Punjab origin by arresting five people after a brief encounter at Rolumajra village in Chamkur Sahib area of the district.

The Italian citizen, Ranjit Singh, who had recently visited his native village Rolumajra, was on target for opposing the Khalistani activities at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib in Italy. It has been learned that Singh had opposed the hoisting of Khalistani flags in Italy as a manager of a gurdwara.

"Ranjit Singh was on target because he opposed the Khalistani activities. Two people from Italy gave a contract to Nabu and Mana, both sitting in foreign countries, to kill Ranjit Singh. Nabu and Mana had further hired people in ...