Jammu, February 18 At least five suspected individuals have been detained for questioning as part of an intensified search for a gangster who remains at large after escaping from a juvenile home, along with two Pakistani inmates, in a border village of Jammu, officials said on Wednesday.
Both the Pakistani nationals were arrested on Tuesday, within 20 hours of the incident near the Ambala railway station in Haryana, while they were en route to Nepal.
Karajeet Singh alias Gugga, a resident of Dablehar in R S Pura, and the Pakistani citizens, Mohammad Suna-ullah (20) and Ahsan Anwar (21), are alleged to have attacked police personnel and fled from the juvenile home around 5 pm on Monday (February 16). Two police officers were injured in the incident.
A purported video of the gangster, reportedly associated with the 'Khauff' gang, showing Singh firing a few shots inside the juvenile home, is circulating on social media, raising public concern.
Officials said Singh, who is believed to be the mastermind of the escape, is still at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
Special teams have been deployed and are conducting raids at various locations within and outside Jammu to apprehend him, they said, adding that Singh's mother is also missing from her Jammu residence and is believed to be accompanying him.
They said five individuals, who were in regular contact with the gangster inside the juvenile home, have been detained for questioning.
Singh was arrested along with nearly a dozen other accused in connection with the murder of rival gang leader Sumit Jandiyal alias 'Gataru' in the Jewel chowk area in January last year and was subsequently lodged in the juvenile home.
Six police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty in connection with the incident.
Officials said the police have registered an FIR under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty), 262 (resisting, obstructing, or escaping from lawful custody), 307 (theft with intent to commit death or hurt), and 111 (organized crime) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act (unauthorized possession, carriage, or use of firearms).