Three operatives of foreign-based gangster networks — linked to Doni Bal and Mohabbat Randhawa gangs — were arrested after a brief encounter near the Sector 43 bus stand here on Monday night, with the Operation Cell of Chandigarh Police recovering three sophisticated pistols, including a Glock 9mm and a Zigana .30-bore, along with live cartridges.The arrested men — Prabhjot Singh (19), Purana village, Batala; Jobanpreet Singh (18), Pakhoke village, Tarn Taran; and Ajay Pal Singh (24), Dinewal village, Tarn Taran — are wanted by Punjab Police in connection with the murder of Gurpreet alias Gopi Nijjar, the last surviving witness in the Sukha Kahlwan murder case, killed at Kapurthala on April 30.Acting on a tip-off that the trio, armed with automatic pistols, was planning to snatch a vehicle at gunpoint near the Sector 43 bus stand, the Operation Cell laid a trap. When police moved to nab them, two of the accused — Prabhjot and Ajay — opened fire. A bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of a team member. Police returned fire. With no escape route, all three surrendered. Five rounds were exchanged in total — three by the accused, two by police.An FIR (No. 78, dated May 19, 2026) has been registered at PS Sector 36 under Sections 109, 132, 221 and 3(5) of BNS and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.How the gang operatedDuring interrogation, the trio disclosed they were in touch with Doni Bal and Mohabbat Randhawa — both based abroad — through encrypted messaging apps. On their instructions, Prabhjot and Jobanpreet, along with one Gourav alias Gola (already arrested), shot dead Gopi Nijjar at Kapurthala in the early hours of April 30. The Doni Bal gang subsequently claimed responsibility for the killing on social media. Ajay arranged and supplied weapons to the shooters and was privy to the conspiracy.ProfilesPrabhjot, a Class 12 pass-out, had come to India from Malaysia in February. While working there, he was introduced to Mohabbat Randhawa and Doni Bal through one Arshdeep of Dinewal village, Tarn Taran.Jobanpreet, barely 18 and a half years old and fatherless, was working at a food stall near GNDU University, Amritsar when Ajay drew him into the gang. Police said he was groomed and lured with the promise of being settled abroad.Ajay, the eldest of the three and a childhood friend of Arshdeep, has a tainted record — three prior FIRs from Satnampur, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur. He arranged weapons for the shooters and pressured Jobanpreet to participate in the murder.DGP’S WarningSpeaking to The Tribune, Chandigarh DGP Dr Sagar Preet Hooda said the arrest was a direct outcome of the police’s relentless vigil against organised crime. “Chandigarh Police has zero tolerance for gangsterism and criminal networks. No shooter, operative or gangster will be spared if found operating in this city. Those with any criminal intent would do well to leave on their own — we will reach them regardless. Our commitment to keeping Chandigarh safe and secure is absolute,” he asserted.