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Punjab border outpost murders: UAPA invoked as police find evidence of ‘target practice’ and ISI video plot

Gurdaspur double murder investigation intensified after the Punjab Police invoked provisions of the UAPA against two accused in the killing of two officers at a border outpost, citing alleged links to handlers in Pakistan.

4 min readAmritsarUpdated: Mar 7, 2026 03:41 AM IST

Punjab Police reconstitutes SIT to probe ‘328 missing saroops’

Punjab Police have added terror charges under the UAPA against the accused in the murder of ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar. What began as a local crime investigation is now being treated as a threat to national security. (File/Representational)

The police in Punjab’s Gurdaspur invoked the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act against two of the three accused arrested for the murder of two officers at a border village in the district last month.

The Gurdaspur police added sections 13, 16, 18B, 20, 35, 40, 43E, 14, and 19 of the UAPA vide Report 23 on February 28 in First Information Report (FIR) Number 18 at the Dorangla Police Station. With the invocation of the UAPA, the case has been elevated to a matter of national security.

The bodies of assistant sub-inspector Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar were found with gunshot injuries at an outpost in Adhian on February 22.

The UAPA has been invoked against the accused — Inderjit Singh, 21, Dilawar Singh and Ranjit Singh, both 19 — for their alleged link with ISI. A resident of Adhian village, Ranjit, was shot dead in an encounter after he allegedly fled from police custody on February 25. His family and political leaders have raised questions about the encounter, with some calling for a judicial probe.

Meanwhile, a source in the department claimed that the police have almost cracked the murder case of Singh and Kumar.

The police are now working to trace the “money trail,” as Inderjit reportedly received some money as well.

A drug peddler, stock market loss and old cases

The investigation into the murders of ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Kumar highlights financial ruin and a desire for notoriety as the primary drivers behind the crime.

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One of the prime accused, Ranjit, who worked in Delhi, reportedly suffered a “massive loss” through stock market investments. Inderjit was allegedly motivated by a desire to enter the world of organised crime and drugs, seeking to “make a name” for himself through violent means.

Also Read | Punjab border outpost murders: An encounter leaves more questions than answers

While Ranjit and Dilawar had no criminal past, Inderjit had two cases of theft and one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act pending against him. Inderjit was allegedly a small-time drug peddler in touch with smugglers in Pakistan.

Ranjit was detained along with Inderjit in a bike theft case in 2024. The police, however, found no involvement of Ranjit and booked Inderjit.

Test runs, lookout

A police source claimed that the murders of Gurnam Singh and Ashok Kumar involved meticulous planning and a direct link to handlers in Pakistan.

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Sources also provided a detailed account of how the crime was orchestrated, from initial target practice to the post-murder destruction of evidence.

The weapons used in the crime were collected by the accused from a location and were provided by a handler in Pakistan they named ‘Shah’. The accused collected as many as 30 live rounds from a separate hiding spot.

The execution of murder was preceded by “test runs” to ensure the weapons were functional. According to investigators, the suspects conducted initial testing by firing five rounds — three at night and two in the early morning before the crime.

Forensic teams have since identified a nearby tree where the suspects practised their aim. “The spot was identified where two rounds were fired into a tree to test accuracy,” a police source said.

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Also Read | A night along the Pakistan border in Punjab, in the shadow of two murders at an outpost

After parking their bike at a distance to avoid detection, the accused removed their shoes before approaching the checkpost, handing them to Dilawar, their accomplice, to muffle their footsteps.

Sources said only Ranjit and Inderjit were aware of the assassination plot, and the third was kept outside as a lookout. They added that he was told that they were looking for a drone from Pakistan.

While Ranjit reportedly fired the shots that killed both officers, Inderjit fired a shot to make a video to provide to the handler in Pakistan. A tattoo on Inderjit’s body is also visible in the alleged video.

They smashed the mobile phone to destroy digital footprints immediately after the video was transmitted.

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The accused were told by their handlers that the video wouldn’t be released; however, they broke that promise.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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