A labourer was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants in Naushehra Pannuan town of Punjab’s Tarn Taran district on Wednesday night, with preliminary police investigations pointing towards a possible gang rivalry. The killing has triggered concern in the area amid a series of violent incidents allegedly linked to gang-related disputes.
The deceased, identified as Kuldeep Singh, son of Gulzar Singh, was a resident of Naushehra Pannuan and earned his livelihood through painting work. According to the information available, he was heading towards the town’s main junction to get a haircut when the attackers opened fire on him. He died in the shooting.
Son Arrested Days Before Father’s Killing
The murder comes just two days after Kuldeep Singh’s son, Manpreet Singh, was arrested by Sarhali police for allegedly conducting reconnaissance in connection with a murder case.
The investigation reportedly links the alleged recce to the killing of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Iqbal Singh, who was shot dead in Naushehra Pannuan on October 11. Iqbal Singh was the uncle of Ajmeet Singh, the alleged mastermind of the 2022 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on the Sarhali police station.
Ajmeet Singh was himself shot dead on September 11. His uncle, ASI Iqbal Singh, was killed approximately a month later, intensifying suspicions of a retaliatory cycle of violence.
According to the preliminary investigation cited in the report, gangsters operating from abroad had allegedly used Manpreet Singh to conduct reconnaissance before the attack on ASI Iqbal Singh. Manpreet had been in police custody for two days when his father was killed.
However, investigators have yet to establish the motive behind Kuldeep Singh’s murder conclusively.
Police Suspect Gang Rivalry, Teams Deployed
Following the shooting, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravi Sher Singh and Sarhali Station House Officer Balbir Singh reached the spot with the police team. The body was taken into custody, and a case was registered against unidentified assailants.
DSP Ravi Sher Singh said the initial investigation suggested that the killing could be linked to rivalry between criminal gangs. Police teams have been dispatched to different locations to identify and arrest those responsible.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the alleged spillover of gang-related violence into the lives of ordinary residents and their families.
Investigation Underway
Police are investigating whether Kuldeep Singh’s killing was connected to the earlier murders and his son’s alleged role in the reconnaissance operation. The identities of the shooters and the precise motive remain to be established.
The investigation is ongoing, and the suspected gang-rivalry link remains a preliminary assessment rather than a confirmed conclusion.
