It took as many as 1,000 police personnel, including 50 SHOs and 30 other officers from different districts, to track down, chase and ultimately arrest Shiromani Akali Dal leader Rana and two others wanted in the murder of Assistant Sub-Inspector Ravinderpal Singh.

The police have recovered the .315 pistol with which Rana shot Mr. Singh, according to Director-General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini, who called on the victim’s family.

Rana, Prabhjit Singh and Dharam Singh were arrested from Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district. A 12-bore double-barrel gun, a .32 revolver and live ammunition were recovered from them. However, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny and Gurbir Singh alias Bira, who were also with Rana during the killing, are absconding.

Mr. Saini said the police had traced the men to Sohal village near Jhabaal, but Rana and his associates escaped after firing at the approaching police party. Their abandoned SUV was later located near Rajoke village and the men were nabbed following a chase through the narrow streets.

The arrest came hours after Rana was expelled by his party from the post of general secretary of the city’s urban unit.