Amritsar firing: AAP sarpanch's son shot dead outside gurdwara, friend injured

Tirath Singh, the son of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch, was shot dead and his friend injured in a firing incident outside a gurdwara in Amritsar's Cheete Kalan village on Monday evening. Police have identified four suspects and are investigating whether an old dispute led to the attack. The two men had gone to the gurdwara to offer prayers and were returning when a group of assailants opened fire, according to police. Tirath Singh was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His friend, Ranjit Singh, sustained a bullet injury and was reported to be out of danger. Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar, said seven to eight rounds were fired during the attack.

He added that the suspects had been identified and that an FIR was being registered against named individuals. Police have identified four suspects, Gurditt Singh, Gurjant Singh, Harkirat Singh alias Hockey, and a man known as Gora. Teams have been formed to investigate the case and trace the accused. No arrests had been reported in the account available at the time of publication. "There was a long-standing personal enmity that led to today's attack," Chahal said late Monday evening. #WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal, SSP Amritsar, says, "This evening, a shooting incident occurred in a village called Cheeta.

An individual named Tirath and a friend of his had arrived to offer prayers when they were attacked by a group of men who opened fire. Seven to eight rounds were discharged; Tirath Singh was struck by a bullet and was pronounced dead upon being taken to the hospital. His friend, Ranjeet Singh, also sustained injuries. The individuals who carried out the attack have been identified, and the police are registering an FIR naming specific individuals. These include Gurjit Singh, Gurjant Singh, Harkir Singh (alias Haki), a man known as 'Gora', and the village Nambardar. There was a long-standing personal enmity that led to today's attack, resulting in the death of Tirath Singh.

Tirath Singh's brother, Karel Singh, is a member of the Block Samiti, and his mother is the village Sarpanch. They are associated with the Aam Aadmi Party..." -- ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2026 Deputy Superintendent of Police Yadwinder Singh, who was quoted in a local media report, said preliminary investigations suggested that the murder stemmed from an old animosity linked to a land dispute. He ruled out political rivalry as the suspected motive. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting and collecting evidence. The victim's family has also reportedly suspected the involvement of a rival group from the village.

Tirath Singh's family is associated with the AAP. According to Chahal, Tirath's brother, Karel Singh, is a Block Samiti member, while their mother is the village sarpanch. The killing has drawn political attention because of the family's links to the ruling party in Punjab. However, police have said the initial findings point to a personal dispute rather than a politically motivated attack. The shooting has triggered criticism of the AAP government's handling of law and order in Punjab. Former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu criticised the state government in a post on X, arguing that the killing raised questions about public safety.

"The murder of Tirath Singh, brother of an incumbent AAP sarpanch, outside a gurdwara in Amritsar is a stark indictment of Punjab's collapsed law and order," Bittu wrote. He also called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take responsibility for the state's security situation, adding, "Either enforce the writ of the state and ensure people's safety, or resign."