Punjab Police ASI Murdered in Tarn Taran, Attack Raises Law and Order Concerns (Img: Pinterest)
Tarn Taran: A Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was shot dead by two assailants in Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran district on Sunday evening. The incident has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of police personnel in the border state, with opposition leaders launching an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ferozepur Range) Snehdeep Sharma, the deceased, Iqbal Singh, was posted in Makhu in Ferozepur district and was returning home when the attackers intercepted him.
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The two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire at close range, with two bullets hitting the ASI. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the suspects. Multiple teams have been deployed to trace and arrest the accused.
The DIG said investigators had obtained leads and expressed confidence that the assailants would be apprehended soon.
The killing comes amid a series of attacks on police personnel in Punjab. On October 4, ASI Sukhchain Singh, posted with the Government Railway Police in Amritsar, was injured when three motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly shot at him. He sustained a bullet injury to his left arm.
Earlier, ASI Harjit Singh was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne men at the Bhagtanwala grain market in Amritsar during the intervening night of September 18 and 19.
The latest killing triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders over the state's law-and-order situation.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that the incident reflected the government's failure to ensure security, claiming it was the seventh killing of a policeman in the border area.
BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also questioned the government's ability to protect ordinary citizens when police personnel themselves face attacks.
Punjab BJP leader Parminder Singh Brar criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, arguing that the safety of ordinary Punjabis must receive greater attention.
Police have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the latest killing.
