Bullet hits police SUV outside ex-jathedar Giani Raghbir's house
AMRITSAR, Aug. 15 -- A bullet hit the bonnet of a Punjab Police SUV deployed as part of a security detail parked outside the residence of former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh in Amritsar's Pratap Nagar, though the initial probe has ruled out the possibility of any attack, police officials said on Friday.
Giani Raghbir Singh said the incident appeared to have occurred late at night on August 12. However, the family came to know about it only around 5 pm on August 13, when the driver was cleaning the vehicle and noticed the bullet mark. During the examination, police recovered a .32-bore bullet from the vehicle.
Assistant commissioner of police (ACP-East) Rainder Singh said, "As per the initial investigation of the bullet mark, a portion of the bullet hit the bonnet at a 90-degree angle. This shows that it was not fired horizontally at the vehicle."
The former Jathedar said the sound of the bullet hitting the vehicle was also captured on CCTV cameras installed near the house. The footage purportedly shows a youth arriving near the house on a scooter and later talking on the phone at a nearby chowk. His identity and motive are yet to be ascertained.
"Some bike riders were also spotted in the CCTV footage, who are seen roaming in the area at that time. We are questioning them, but so far we have found no vital clue", said the police official, privy to the probe. Police also seized an empty cartridge from the spot. Investigators are examining whether the firing was targeted or the result of an aerial shot.
The former Jathedar said he had not received any direct threat. He urged police to treat the incident seriously, pointing out that a stray bullet could have hit a passer-by or caused a fatality. An FIR was registered against unknown persons, and investigation is going on, police said.
After his retirement, Giani Raghbir Singh has been staying at his personal residence, and Punjab Police have not withdrawn his security cover.
Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa condemned the incident, terming it a serious threat to Punjab's law and order. He demanded an immediate, impartial investigation, the swift arrest of the culprits and strict action against those behind the incident....
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