3 murders in 48 hours rock Punjab’s Ludhiana, among victim an ex-sarpanch

Police sources said at least six rounds were fired at the spot, though it was yet to be established how many bullets struck Navtej.

“Prima facie, the deceased had a land dispute within the family,” ACP (West) Jatinderpal Singh said. Seven people have been booked in a murder case registered at Ladhowal police station on the statement of Navtej’s son, he said.

Laddi Khan, shot dead in Dakha

Ladhowal SHO Inspector Sukhwinder Singh said some of those booked were relatives of Navtej with whom he had a dispute. “A probe is on,” he said.

Navtej had served as sarpanch of Manewal during the SAD-BJP government and later extended political support to both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party.

A day earlier, 29-year-old Laddi Khan was shot dead in Mullanpur Dakha under Ludhiana Rural Police, with investigators suspecting an old rivalry between two groups.

Laddi was travelling in a car with his friend Manpreet Singh when another vehicle intercepted them late Friday and its occupants allegedly opened fire. Laddi suffered at least three bullet injuries, including to his chest and shoulder, and died. The car went out of control after the firing and rammed into a roadside pole.

Dakha SHO Inspector Nirmaljit Singh said two of the accused had been identified as Harpreet Happy and Arshdeep Singh, both residents of Majri. Three unidentified persons have also been booked.

“Both sides have criminal backgrounds. The deceased was a driver and had a previous FIR registered against him. We are trying to arrest the accused,” the SHO said.

The third murder was reported in Sahnewal, where 35-year-old Dinesh Kumar of Anant Vihar Colony was allegedly stabbed repeatedly with a knife and other sharp-edged weapons late Thursday night.

Dinesh had stepped out to go to the market around 11 pm when he was attacked near an ATM kiosk in Purana Bazaar. His brother Deepak Kumar told police that the assault was so severe that Dinesh’s intestines protruded. He was declared dead after being taken to a hospital.

Police booked Umesh Kumar, Sanjeet Kumar and Golu for murder on the complaint of Dinesh’s brother. Sahnewal SHO Inspector Guljinderpal Singh said both the deceased and accused had criminal backgrounds.

The SHO said the two sides were allegedly involved in drug use and snatching and robbery cases. One suspect has been detained, he said.