24 Hours, three bodies: Ex-soldier's killing spree ends in deadly Police encounter

LUCKNOW: An ex-serviceman who allegedly carried out three murders within a 24-hour window was killed in a police encounter in the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh. The deceased, identified as 46-year-old Gurpreet Singh, was a native of Amritsar, Punjab.

The sequence of violence began on May 10, while Gurpreet was traveling by train from Prayagraj to Chandauli.

• First Incident: Gurpreet shot a 34-year-old passenger named Mangru aboard the PDD-Tarikhad Passenger train and reportedly threw the body from the moving vehicle. He escaped by jumping off the train as it slowed down.
• Second Incident: In the early hours of May 11, Gurpreet boarded the Jammu Tawi Express and fatally shot another passenger in the head.
• Third Incident: Later that same day, Gurpreet checked into a private hospital using the alias 'Virendra' and allegedly murdered a woman seeking treatment at the facility.

Following a rapid investigation, police apprehended Gurpreet and took him to Sakaldiha village at approximately 10:30 PM on Monday for a crime scene reconstruction. During the proceedings, Gurpreet reportedly snatched a firearm from a police officer and opened fire in an attempt to escape.

In the ensuing retaliatory fire, Gurpreet sustained critical gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Two police personnel—a Sub-Inspector and a constable—sustained bullet injuries to their hands during the skirmish.

Police officials stated that Gurpreet suffered from severe mental instability, which was exacerbated by chronic alcoholism. He was described as highly aggressive and a significant threat to public safety.