In describing the intense manhunt in Jalandhar during which the leader of "Waris Punjab De," now listed as a fugitive, Amritpal Singh, managed to flee, Jalandhar DIG Swapan Sharma said on Sunday that two of the pro-Khalistan leader's convoy's vehicles had been seized. He also said that the pro-Khalistan leader had rammed into motorcycles to divert the police, news agency ANI reported.
"We were directed to nab him (Amritpal Singh). While chasing, he ended up on a one-lane link road ahead of us. While outrunning us he crashed into several motorbike riders, some were with the motive to divert us from the chase," Deputy Inspector General Swapan Sharma was quoted by ANI in its report.
Amritpal Singh had been branded a fugitive by the Punjab Police, and they were on the hunt for him and his supporters.
.The senior police officer said: "while interception in Mehatpur, a crowded market, the vehicle in front, somehow managed to flee. But we have recovered the other two cars of his convoy."
"We have recovered seven illegal weapons too," he added.
Singh reportedly altered his routes two to three times, according to DIG Sharma. He added that Singh was initially observed in the Shahkot area, where he was apprehended, adding that he had previously been at Harike before entering the Doaba region from another flyover.
"But he took a U-turn from there too," he further said.
The suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Punjab's administrative region was earlier in the day extended till Monday noon.
Amritpal Singh and his supporters are the target of an operation that Punjab Police started on Saturday. Police subsequently, while noting that 78 individuals were caught in the operation and some were held for interrogation, added that the Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh was still on the run and a big manhunt is begun to apprehend him.
According to earlier information from central agency sources, Daljeet Singh Kalsi, also known as Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, who is thought to be Amritpal Singh's counsellor and financier, was detained by the police on Sunday.
In the meantime, a sizable police presence has been stationed outside Amritpal Singh's home in the Amritsar hamlet of Jallupur Khera.
According to the police, security has also been improved throughout the state. Kuldeep Singh Chahal, the commissioner for Jalandhar, verified the extremist leader's status as a "fugitive" on Saturday night.