Jalandhar: A raid by an Excise Department team at the residence of a suspected drug peddler in Jalandhar’s Bhargav Camp area led to a confrontation and subsequent firing on Tuesday evening, triggering panic among local residents.
Police said the Excise Department team had arrived in the Bhargav Camp area to conduct the raid when some residents objected to the operation, leading to an altercation. During the dispute, a shot was fired, prompting residents to rush indoors in panic. No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
According to local reports, the Excise Department team had gone to Bhargav Camp to crack down on illegal liquor when it allegedly came under sudden gunfire, forcing the officials to flee the spot to save themselves. It has been alleged that the attacker was a local youth known as “DC,” who is reportedly backed by a prominent political party. However, police have not officially confirmed the identity of the alleged attacker or the claims regarding his political links. Despite the firing, no casualties were reported.
Acting on the information, a police team from the Bhargav Camp police station reached the spot promptly and recovered an empty cartridge shell from the scene. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby cameras to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved.
Sandeep Pahwa, a resident of the locality, alleged that the Excise Department has repeatedly harassed residents in the area and has, on several occasions, entered homes without prior notice. He claimed that the team’s arrival on Tuesday evening was met with resistance from residents, which escalated into the confrontation that preceded the firing.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ateesh Bhatia said the district control room received information about the firing in the Bhargav Camp area, following which police personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. He confirmed the recovery of an empty cartridge shell and said the identity of the shooter has not yet been established. Bhatia added that police are analysing CCTV footage from nearby locations and that appropriate legal action will be initiated once the accused is identified through available evidence. He also confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway.
