Punjab RSS leader killing: NIA team hunting for suspect attacked

A joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Uttar Pradesh Police, carrying out searches in Ghaziabad in connection with the killing of an RSS leader in Punjab on Sunday, was fired upon and pelted with stones by a mob, leading to injury to a policeman.

Giving details, an NIA spokesperson said during the course of investigation into the killing of RSS leader Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana, investigators came across the names of certain suspected arm smugglers who had supplied firearms to the accused.

An NIA team, with the assistance of the state police, conducted searches to apprehend the suspected arm suppliers in Meerut district during the intervening night of December 2 and 3, the spokesman said in a statement.

On getting more leads, further raids were conducted at the residence of suspect Malook at Nahali village in Ghaziabad this morning.

During the raid, a large crowd of men and women tried to obstruct the police and NIA team and some people opened fire on them, resulting in injury to Uttar Pradesh Police constable Tahjib Khan, besides damage to official vehicles, the spokesman said.

The firing was followed by stone pelting and the mob also staged multiple road blockades to obstruct the officials in discharge of their duties.

In self-defence, the UP Police and NIA personnel also fired in the air, the spokesman said, adding that two suspects are currently being questioned regarding their alleged involvement in the case.

Efforts are being made to locate Malook who is wanted in connection with the supply of arms and ammunition used in the killing in Punjab.

On November 30, the NIA registered the case to probe the killing of Gosain under various sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Gosain, the ‘Mukhya Shikshak’ of the Mohan shakha of the RSS, was shot dead outside his residence in Ludhiana’s Gagandeep Colony in the morning of October 17 by two unidentified assailants riding a motorbike.

Punjab Police, which was earlier probing the case, arrested two people --- Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh — a few days after the incident.

“It has also come to light that a conspiracy to destabilise Punjab as been hatched by Sikh extremist elements and others located in various parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan,” the NIA spokesman had said.

He added that investigation conducted so far has revealed channelling of funds from foreign countries for execution of these incidents. The conspiracy also included an element of ideological brainwashing and incitement of the accused on religious grounds by their mentors settled abroad.