A 23-year-old kabaddi player was shot dead and another person seriously injured after four masked assailants opened fire in Ludhiana district late Sunday night. The incident took place in Manki village of Samrala, where the victims were preparing for a community langar and cleaning the route ahead of a Nagar Kirtan procession.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and, without any argument or warning, started firing indiscriminately at three young men. The gunfire caused panic in the area. Two of the victims Gurvinder Singh and Dharmveer were hit by bullets, while a third, Lovepreet, narrowly escaped unhurt.
Locals rushed the injured to the Samrala Civil Hospital, from where they were referred to Chandigarh’s PGI Hospital. However, Gurvinder Singh, 23, succumbed to his injuries on the way, while Dharmveer remains under treatment. Police recovered several empty bullet shells from the spot.
Senior police officers, including SP (D) Khanna Pawanjeet, DSP Mohit Kumar Singla, and DSP Karamjeet Singh Grewal, visited the scene. CCTV footage from the area captured images of the masked attackers firing and fleeing on their motorcycle.
Police have registered a murder case and launched an investigation from multiple angles. Officials said the motive behind the killing is yet to be established.
Gurvinder Singh was a popular kabaddi player who had represented his village in district-level tournaments and local fairs. His sudden death has left the community in shock.
