Punjab ASI murder: accused killed in encounter, Pakistan terror link under probe

One of the two accused in the murder of Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Harjit Singh was killed in an encounter, while investigators are probing his alleged links with a Pakistan-based terrorist, police said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as 19-year-old Deepak Singh, a resident of Mulchak in Amritsar, was allegedly involved in the killing of Harjit Singh, who was shot at close range while on PCR duty at the Bhagtanwala grain market on Friday. The second accused escaped and remains at large, with police teams continuing efforts to trace him.

Police trace accused through CCTV and technical inputs

According to police, investigators used CCTV footage, technical inputs, tower-dump analysis, local intelligence and human sources to identify and track the suspects.

At around 9.45 pm, a police team signalled two suspects travelling on a scooter to stop at a checkpoint. Police said the suspects opened fire, firing four rounds, following which the police retaliated in self-defence.

Deepak sustained bullet injuries during the exchange. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The second suspect managed to flee from the spot.

Police recovered a .30 bore pistol, two magazines, eight live cartridges, a mobile phone and the Honda Activa scooter allegedly used in the crime.

Investigators probe Pakistan-based terror connection

Investigators are also examining a possible Pakistan-based terror connection in the murder.

According to information emerging during the probe, a Pakistan-based terrorist allegedly offered money to the accused to carry out the attack. Police are investigating the nature of the alleged link and the circumstances in which the accused may have been recruited.

Deepak had previously been jailed in a drugs case and was released in April.

Current reports have also identified an alleged connection being examined by investigators with the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti network. Police and security agencies are probing whether local shooters may have been used to execute attacks linked to cross-border handlers.

Harjit Singh was shot during PCR duty

Harjit Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district, was on PCR duty when he was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men around midnight in the Bhagtanwala grain market.

According to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the attackers followed the officer before opening fire at close range. A single bullet struck Harjit Singh from behind, slightly towards the back of his neck.

A .30 bore empty cartridge case was recovered from the crime scene. Police have also been examining CCTV footage and forensic evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events.

The DGP had earlier said CCTV footage showed two suspected persons travelling on an Activa scooter around 12.32 am. Police were examining their movements and backward and forward linkages as part of the investigation.

The killing was the third fatal attack on Punjab Police personnel reported this year, following the February killings of ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard constable Ashok Kumar at a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur, and the May killing of ASI Joga Singh near Majitha.

Police and security agencies are now examining whether the recent attacks are connected to a wider network involving local shooters, criminal elements and cross-border handlers.

The investigation into Harjit Singh's murder is continuing, while police are conducting a search for the second accused and examining the alleged terror and financing links behind the attack.