7-Year-Old Boy Rescued After Intense Encounter in Patiala; Main Accused Shot Dead. A seven-year-old boy from a peasant family in Seehan Daud was allegedly kidnapped by two motorcycle-borne suspects while playing outside his home on the outskirts of the village.
In response, separate police teams from Payal and Amargarh launched a massive search operation. The kidnappers were spotted on the Malerkotla-Khanna road, and their movements were tracked, leading to an encounter near Mandour village on Nabha Road in Patiala.
During the operation, the kidnappers opened fire on the police, triggering a fierce gunfight. The joint teams of Patiala and Khanna police successfully rescued the child, while one of the accused was shot dead in the exchange. Three police personnel sustained injuries during the high-risk operation.
The incident came to light when Gurjant Singh, a farmer and commission agent from Seehan Daud, reported to the police control room that his grandson, Bhavkirat Singh, a Class I student, had been abducted.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav closely monitored the entire operation. Following the successful rescue, DGP Yadav announced a ₹10 lakh reward for the police team involved.
The kidnappers had tried to evade capture by avoiding CCTV cameras, switching vehicles, and taking alternate routes, but swift police action thwarted their plans.
Meanwhile, Khanna SSP Jyoti Yadav and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will reunite the rescued child with his family. Further details on the case will be shared by Patiala Range DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu in a press conference at 6 PM at the Police Lines conference hall in Patiala.