In a high-stakes predawn operation, Chandigarh Police engaged in a fierce gun battle with members of the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang near Jhera Mandi in Sector 39. One assailant was shot and rushed to the hospital, marking a crucial win in the fight against organized crime.

The confrontation stemmed from a recent extortion-linked shooting at a Sector 32 pharmacy, where the same gang had unleashed terror. Tips from informants pinpointed the criminals hiding in a suspicious taxi amid nearby woods, prompting an immediate police cordon.

As the net tightened, the gangsters unleashed a volley of bullets, forcing officers into defensive fire. The crossfire ended with one suspect hit, while others escaped into the underbrush. Identified as Bishnoi affiliates through prior intelligence, these criminals are part of a syndicate notorious for inter-gang rivalries and bold public attacks.

Police have launched an extensive manhunt, sealing roads and deploying drones for aerial surveillance. The wounded man’s interrogation could unravel connections to larger networks plaguing Punjab and Haryana. ‘Such encounters are necessary to send a strong message to underworld elements,’ stated a top official.

This incident highlights escalating gang violence in the region, with the Bishnoi group implicated in assassinations and smuggling. Community leaders praised the police response but urged more preventive measures like community policing. With the city on high alert, authorities predict swift arrests of the absconders, reinforcing commitment to public safety.