The Akali candidate in the recent assembly elections from Valtoha, Gurdial Singh, and five others were shot in the main bazaar here at noon today. While the police suspect a property dispute to be the reason behind the killings, the Akalis have blamed the Congress for withdrawing Gurdial Singh’s security.The bodies continued to lie in the blood-splattered Tata Sumo till late in the evening after a mob gathered at the spot. Among those present was former MP Surinder Singh Kairon, who had been instrumental in securing the ticket for Gurdial Singh.According to DSP Major Singh of Bhikhiwind, the assailants, who are still unidentified, were travelling in a red Qualis and may have been following their victims from Algon Kothi, Gurdial Singh’s village.‘‘The Sumo had turned in for filling petrol when the assailants in the Qualis reached there and waited for them. When the Sumo pulled out, the Qualis blocked its path. The Sumo slowed down and the unarmed passengers were exposed to a volley of bullets. The firing lasted several minutes,’’ the DSP said.A nearby shopowner said that apart from Gurdial Singh, Mukhtiar Singh of Wada Telian, Kuldeep Singh alias Kaka of Algon Kothi, Joginder Singh of Wara Sher Singh and his son, Nirmal Singh, died on the spot. Dr R.P.Singh, the medical officer at Sursingh Community Health Centre, said that the driver, Lakha Singh, was brought to the hospital in a critical condition and was referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital at Amritsar after being administered first aid but died of his injuries on the way.A gunman, Bittu, is said to be in a critical condition because of a leg injury. A roadside cart vendor, Laddi, was also hit by splinters and is undergoing treatment.According to police sources, initial inquiries pointed to a former sarpanch who is locked in a land dispute with Gurdial Singh. But the matter assumed a political colour once Kairon reached the spot, amidst slogans raised by a angry mob against the Congress, the police and SSP Tarn Taran.According to reports from Bhikhwind police station, a statement was given by Gurdial Singh’s son around 6.30 p.m. and the bodies were sent for post-mortem.SSP Narendra Bhargav said that additional police force from Khalra and Khemkaran was called to the spot. The market was closed immediately after the firing took place.
