Chandigarh, Jan 15: The murder of Rana Balachauria during a kabaddi tournament in Sohana was the result of a long-term conspiracy that involved months of surveillance and multiple hideouts. Police officials confirmed that the shooters had been tracking the promoter since October, staying in various establishments across the tri-city area and Zirakpur to wait for the opportune moment.
The breakthrough in the case came with the arrest of three individuals in West Bengal. Karan Pathak and Tarandeep Singh were among those detained at the Howrah railway station. Detectives identified Pathak as one of the gunmen who opened fire during the tournament, while Tarandeep Singh allegedly acted as the getaway driver.
SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans mentioned that the operational planning was extensive and directed from abroad. He said the group utilized a network of local contacts, including Sukhsherpal Singh, to hide their tracks while moving between Kharar and Kalka. The SSP also said that the planning phase alone lasted nearly two months before the execution of the crime in Sector 79.
The motive behind the killing appears rooted in organized crime rivalries, with Donny Bal and Amarjit Khabba named as the masterminds. While nine suspects are now behind bars, the investigation continues to track the remaining links in the international network that facilitated the hit on the sports promoter.
