2 shooters among 7 arrested for AAP-backed sarpanch murder in Amritsar: Punjab Police

The DGP said the Punjab Police obtained the transit remand of both shooters until January 14, and that they were being brought to Amritsar by air.

“CCTV trail and technical inputs about assailants were analysed from different places, including Mohali, Delhi, Maharashtra, Namded Sahib, Bihar, and they were ultimately tracked to Raipur,” the DGP said.

“Jobanjeet of Patti and Jobanjeet from Tarn Taran provided support to the three accused. The CCTV trail was followed for 110 km to trace the accused’s escape route. Kulwinder Singh, Armandeep Singh and Harpreet Singh provided logistical support to them, and they were arrested in Tarn Taran today (Monday),” the DGP said.

He said financial help was provided to the accused from abroad, while they were on the run, and that they were part of “a sophisticated criminal operation managed from abroad”.

“Organised crime will be targeted by the Punjab Police as directed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In an end-to-end manner, the eco-system of the criminals will be identified and busted, and no one will be spared. If someone does crime in Punjab, then Punjab Police will hold those people accountable,” Yadav said.

Asked how the sarpanch was targeted despite being provided with police security and how the assailants escaped despite many security personnel being present at the wedding venue, the DGP said, “Lapses on the part of the police personnel will be investigated, and those found guilty will be punished.”

Gangster Prabh Dasuwal, who is said to be based in Portugal, was the mastermind of the sarpanch murder, carried out due to old enmity, the DGP said, adding: “The state is set to launch a decisive campaign against organised crime, with a focus on extraditing criminals operating from abroad.”

Jharmal Singh was shot at point-blank range during a wedding ceremony at Marigold Marriage Palace in Amritsar at around 2.30-3 pm on January 4, shortly after the bride and groom had left the venue.

CCTV footage showed the two shooters walking into the wedding venue, one of them pulling out a gun and firing at Singh’s head before fleeing the spot. Singh was rushed to a hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. Jarmal had survived at least three previous attempts on his life, including a shooting at his vehicle in March 2025.

A social media post, purportedly from foreign-based gangsters, claimed responsibility, naming individuals like Dolly Bal (Donny Bal), Prabh Dasuwal, Afridi Toot, Mohabbat Randhawa, Amar Khabbe, and Pawan Shaukeen (linked to the Bambiha gang).

On January 6, gangster Harnur Singh, alias Noor, linked to the conspiracy and associated with Prabh Dasuwal and Afridi, was killed in a police encounter in Bhikhiwind, Tarn Taran. The police also recovered a pistol from them.

The case sparked political controversy. Opposition parties, including the BJP and the SAD, condemned the incident and alleged a law-and-order “crisis” in Punjab, noting it was a part of multiple murders in early January. They also demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.