The investigation into the killing of a village sarpanch in Punjab has led to the arrest of four suspects in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities confirmed.
According to police, Harvinder Singh, the sarpanch of Patto Hira Singh village, was shot dead on March 6 in Baghapurana, located in Moga district. The attack took place in broad daylight at a crowded marketplace when assailants arriving in a Toyota Fortuner opened fire, killing him on the spot.
In the aftermath of the killing, a woman identified as Rupinder Kaur made several statements to the media claiming that the deceased sarpanch had helped her. She alleged that her husband and members of his family were responsible for the murder because of that assistance.
The victim’s father also stated that his son had been helping a girl from Jamalwala village, suggesting that this may have triggered hostility leading to the killing.
Based on the father’s complaint, the Baghapurana Police registered a case against Manpreet Singh, along with Jobanpreet Singh, Jaswant Singh, Jaskaran Singh, and six to seven unidentified individuals.
Suspects Flee to Jammu and Kashmir
Following the murder, four of the accused reportedly fled to Jammu and Kashmir in an attempt to evade arrest. Police used CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspects and launched a search operation.
According to Dalbir Singh, investigators initially identified the prime accused, Manpreet Singh alias Bablu, through CCTV evidence. The remaining suspects were subsequently identified during the course of the investigation.
Police revealed that the accused had rented a Fortuner vehicle from Raukke Kalan village to carry out the crime. After the shooting, they allegedly abandoned the vehicle outside a relative’s house in another village and fled the region in a different car.
Arrests and Weapons Recovery
The vehicle used in the crime has since been recovered by the Moga Police. Investigators, along with technical teams and personnel from the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), tracked the suspects’ movements.
The four accused were eventually intercepted in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir after the vehicle they were travelling in reportedly broke down. They were subsequently arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police and handed over to Moga Police.
Authorities identified the arrested individuals as Manpreet Singh alias Bablu, Yogesh Sharma, Harvinder Singh, and Jaspreet Singh.
Police also recovered the firearms allegedly used in the attack. One pistol is licensed to Manpreet Singh Bablu, while two others are believed to be illegal weapons. Investigators say approximately 15 rounds were fired during the shooting. All four accused are reportedly close associates of Manpreet Singh Bablu.
Officials further stated that Bablu’s brother Jobanpreet Singh, his father Jaswant Singh, and Jaskaran Singh alias Jassu are also named in the First Information Report (FIR). Authorities said legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible during the ongoing investigation.
Police added that the role of Rupinder Kaur in the case has not yet been confirmed.
The arrested suspects have been brought to Moga from Jammu and Kashmir on transit remand and will be presented before a court for further interrogation as the investigation continues.
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