Tarn Taran, Feb 19: The Lakhbir Landa gang claimed responsibility on Thursday for the murder of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch who was fatally shot during a wedding in Tarn Taran. The claim appeared in a social media post just one day after Harbarinder Singh, the village head of Thathian Mehta, was attacked at close range by two armed assailants.
Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba stated that the department is currently verifying the authenticity of the online post. He noted that preliminary investigations focused on technical evidence and potential personal enmity, but the involvement of organized groups is now being carefully examined. Police officials maintained that an AK-47 rifle was used in the attack, which also left the victim’s cousin seriously injured.
The state government responded to the security breach by suspending DSP (Patti) Jagbir Singh and SHO (Sarhali) Gurvinder Singh for a lack of preventive policing. Law enforcement authorities declared that multiple teams have been formed to track the suspects, who reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle. The incident has raised significant concerns as it follows the similar killing of another local AAP leader in the Amritsar district last month.
