A severe security scare gripped Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Sunday after motorcycle-riding assailants shot dead a police officer in broad daylight. The shooting occurred in Naushehra Pannuan village, falling within the jurisdiction of the Sarhali police station. Assistant Sub-Inspector Iqbal Singh, who served with the Ferozepur police force, was off duty and dressed in civilian attire when the armed attackers struck. Sustaining multiple gunshot wounds at close range, he died on the spot, triggering widespread panic and tension across the rural neighborhood.
Ambushed While Returning from Gurdwara
According to available details, ASI Iqbal Singh had gone to pay obeisance at the local village Gurdwara Sahib on Sunday. He was riding back home on his motorcycle after offering prayers when the unidentified gunmen intercepted him. Riding their own two-wheeler, the assailants pulled up close and fired repeatedly at him from point-blank range. Due to the sudden and intense gunfire, Singh collapsed immediately and died before any medical assistance could be rendered. Taking advantage of the sudden chaos, the culprits sped away from the crime scene.
Police Launch Manhunt and Gather Forensic Evidence
Upon receiving word of the fatal attack on a fellow policeman, personnel from the local police station rushed to the location and secured the area. Investigators inspected the scene thoroughly and collected physical and ballistic evidence to trace the killers. Senior officers initiated an active manhunt, setting up blockades and working to establish the identities of the fleeing assailants. At this stage, official sources noted that the exact motive underpinning the fatal shooting remains undetermined.
Nephew Murdered a Month Earlier as Investigators Probe Link
A crucial detail emerging around the case involves a prior fatal attack within the family, as Iqbal Singh's nephew was murdered approximately one month ago. The killing of the police officer within weeks of his nephew's death has intensified concerns regarding targeted violence or an ongoing personal feud. However, authorities have not officially confirmed any definitive link between the two incidents. Law enforcement teams are currently exploring all angles, emphasizing that clarity regarding the murder plot will emerge once the suspects are taken into custody.
The incident reflects a concerning pattern of attacks on law enforcement personnel in the border region. Earlier, ASI Harjeet Singh was fatally shot by unidentified attackers while on motorcycle patrolling duty in Amritsar.
