A jail inmate was shot dead after allegedly attacking a police constable and attempting to escape custody outside the Civil Hospital in Hoshiarpur on Saturday afternoon, police said.According to Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Malik, the incident took place around 1.30 pm when a police team had brought three inmates from Central Jail, Hoshiarpur, to the Civil Hospital for routine medical examination. After the check-up, the inmates were being escorted back to jail when one of them allegedly attempted to flee despite being handcuffed.

Police said the situation escalated when senior constable Jasdeep Singh, who was part of the escort team and reportedly suffers from asthma, intervened to stop the inmate identified as Nasib Singh. The constable managed to catch hold of him, but the accused allegedly attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon, causing injuries to his face, hand, and leg.Officials stated that the inmate also attempted to snatch the constable’s service weapon during the struggle.

The officer initially fired a warning shot on the ground to prevent the escape, but the confrontation reportedly continued as both individuals fell during the scuffle.According to SSP Malik, the accused again tried to gain control of the weapon, prompting the constable to open fire. Multiple rounds were discharged, some of which struck the inmate, leading to serious injuries.The injured inmate was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body has been kept in the mortuary for post-mortem examination, officials confirmed.

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The constable sustained injuries during the incident and has been admitted to hospital for treatment. Police said he is currently in stable condition and out of danger.Authorities have launched an investigation into how the inmate obtained the sharp-edged weapon while in custody. Officials are examining whether the weapon was brought from outside or supplied with assistance, and whether any security lapses occurred during the hospital escort procedure.

Preliminary information shared by police indicates that Nasib Singh was facing multiple serious criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, and offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He was also a convicted prisoner at the time of the incident.Police further noted that the inmate’s father is also currently lodged in jail in connection with criminal cases, including murder and NDPS-related offences. Authorities have stated that a detailed inquiry is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and assess compliance with custodial safety protocols.

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