In a significant law-and-order development in Punjab, an alleged gangster involved in the murder of a village head in Amritsar was killed during a police encounter in Tarn Taran district on Tuesday. The accused, identified as Harnoor Singh, had been actively associated with criminal operatives Afridi and Prabh Dassuwal and was considered a key figure in planning the attack on the sarpanch.

The incident revolves around the murder of Sarpanch Jharmal Singh, who was not only the elected village head of Valthoa village in Tarn Taran but also a prominent leader of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Jharmal was shot dead at a wedding venue in Amritsar on Sunday in a brazen act that shocked local communities and drew widespread condemnation.

The encounter with Harnoor Singh took place in the Bhikhiwind police station area, following a targeted manhunt by the Tarn Taran police in coordination with the state’s Anti-Gangster Task Force. According to officials, Singh was riding a motorcycle without a number plate when the police spotted him. Upon being signalled to stop, Singh allegedly opened fire at the officers, prompting them to return fire. He was critically hit in the exchange and subsequently succumbed to his injuries despite being rushed to a hospital. A pistol was recovered from the scene, confirming his involvement in armed criminal activity.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sneh Deep Sharma provided details of the operation, stating that the special action was led by the senior superintendent of police of Tarn Taran. “When the accused saw that he was surrounded by the police, he fired at the team. A bullet struck one officer, but he was unharmed due to wearing a bulletproof jacket,” Sharma said. The DIG also highlighted that Singh played a central role in planning the sarpanch’s murder, while the shooters executed the act under his guidance.

The killing of Sarpanch Jharmal Singh on Sunday was a meticulously planned attack. Police reports indicate that he had survived three previous attempts on his life, suggesting a long-standing threat from criminal elements. CCTV footage from the wedding venue captured two assailants walking in unmasked, with one opening fire at point-blank range on the village head’s head. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Jharmal succumbed to his injuries, leaving the local community and political circles in shock. The shooters fled the scene immediately, and their identities remain under investigation.

Following the incident, a social media post, purportedly by gangster Prabh Dassuwal and his associates, including Doni Bal, claimed responsibility for the killing. This public claim heightened concerns over organized criminal networks targeting political figures in Punjab, and opposition parties criticised the ruling AAP government for failing to ensure the safety of elected representatives.

In response to the elimination of Harnoor Singh, AAP’s state general secretary and media in-charge Baltej Pannu praised the efforts of the Punjab Police and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order. “The law-and-order machinery in Punjab is fully secure and in capable hands. The police are performing their duty commendably. Any individual, regardless of power or influence, will face strict action if they attempt to take the law into their own hands,” he asserted.

Pannu emphasised that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration remains fully committed to taking decisive action against criminal networks. He highlighted that the police had effectively neutralised a key operative in the murder plot, signalling a zero-tolerance approach to organized crime targeting public officials.

Harnoor Singh’s death is likely to have a significant impact on the ongoing investigation into the sarpanch’s murder, as authorities work to identify and apprehend the remaining perpetrators. Police have indicated that several other individuals connected to the criminal network behind the killing are under surveillance, and intensified operations are planned to dismantle the gang entirely.

The incident has also drawn attention to the security risks faced by local elected officials in Punjab, particularly those affiliated with the ruling party. While Jharmal Singh had survived previous attacks, the brazen assassination at a public event underscores the need for enhanced protective measures for village heads and other public representatives.

Authorities have assured residents of Valthoa village and surrounding areas that safety measures have been strengthened and that law enforcement presence will remain heightened until the situation is fully stabilised. Investigations are ongoing, and police continue to gather forensic evidence, review CCTV footage, and interrogate suspects connected to the gang to ensure comprehensive action against the criminal network.

The Tarn Taran encounter marks another instance of swift police action in Punjab against organized crime, demonstrating the state’s resolve to tackle criminal elements posing threats to public safety and democratic institutions. Officials have reiterated that the focus remains on dismantling gangs systematically and ensuring justice for victims of violent crime, while upholding the rule of law.

As the investigation continues, authorities have called for cooperation from the public and local communities to provide information that may lead to the identification of remaining suspects. The administration has also emphasised that political affiliations will not shield any individual from facing legal consequences for criminal activities, reaffirming the state’s commitment to impartial enforcement of law.

The Punjab Police and Anti-Gangster Task Force have indicated that further intelligence-driven operations are underway to ensure that the network responsible for Jharmal Singh’s murder is completely neutralised, thereby preventing future attacks on political figures and community leaders in the state.

In summary, the encounter resulting in the death of Harnoor Singh represents a significant development in Punjab’s efforts to combat organized crime and ensure the safety of public officials. While investigations into the murder of Sarpanch Jharmal Singh are ongoing, law enforcement agencies have demonstrated their capability to act decisively, sending a clear message to criminal networks that violent actions against elected representatives will not be tolerated. The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and the protection of citizens, highlighting the coordinated response by police and administrative authorities to maintain security and justice in the region.