Fact News Service
Chandigarh, November 10: A key aide of gangster Lucky Patial was seriously injured following a police encounter in the Kharar area of Mohali on Monday morning. The man, identified as Ranbir Singh Rana, alias Rana, hailing from Gunomajra village, reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during an exchange of fire with the police near Bhukhdi Road. Authorities stated that he was rushed to a local hospital for treatment and remains under police custody while further investigations continue.
According to officials, the incident unfolded when a police team acting on specific intelligence intercepted Rana, who was allegedly traveling to meet associates. On being signaled to stop, he reportedly opened fire at the police, prompting retaliatory action. One of the bullets is said to have hit him in the leg. The police later recovered a weapon, several cartridges, and a motorcycle from the scene.
Rana is believed to be an active member of the aRMEMNIA BASED Lucky Patial gang, a criminal syndicate operating primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, with links extending to other northern states. The group has been associated with a series of violent crimes, including extortion, contract killings, and attacks on rival gangs. Lucky Patial, the gang’s alleged kingpin, is currently in Armenia, where he was detained on international charges. Despite his incarceration, investigators claim that Patial continues to direct operations through a network of trusted associates who remain active in India and abroad.
Sources within the police establishment suggest that Rana was one of Patial’s close operatives, tasked with managing ground-level activities and coordinating with other gang members. His name had surfaced in multiple investigations, including the shooting outside a hotelier’s residence in Chandigarh’s Sector 38 and the attempted attack on Punjabi music producer Bunty Bains earlier this year. These incidents were part of a broader pattern of intimidation allegedly aimed at individuals who had refused to pay extortion money or cooperate with gang demands.
The Patial gang has been embroiled in a long-running turf war with several other organized crime groups, including factions led by gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. This rivalry has often spilled over into the public domain, resulting in violent clashes and targeted killings. Police believe that the latest encounter could be part of a larger crackdown against remnants of these gangs that continue to operate despite the imprisonment or death of many of their leaders.
Mohali and its surrounding regions have seen an uptick in gang-related violence over the past few years, largely attributed to competition over extortion networks, drug routes, and control of local markets. The Punjab Police have intensified their operations, forming special task forces to identify and neutralize these groups. The encounter involving Rana marks another chapter in the ongoing battle between law enforcement and organized crime in the state.
As of now, investigators are verifying whether Rana was planning a new operation or meeting other gang members at the time of the shootout. Further interrogations are expected to reveal details about the gang’s recent movements and connections. Police have reiterated their commitment to dismantling such networks and ensuring public safety across the region.