ASI Harjeet Singh shot dead in Amritsar

Spread the news

Two attackers allegedly opened fire on ASI during early-morning patrol near Dana Mandi

Chandigarh, September 18

An Assistant Sub-Inspector, identified as Harjeet Singh, was shot dead by two unidentified attackers near Dana Mandi in Amritsar between 2.30 am and 3 am on Thursday while he was on patrol duty, with an organisation calling itself Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH) later claiming responsibility for the attack. The motive behind the killing is not clear.

Harjeet Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran, was posted at Gate Hakima Police Station and was on motorcycle patrol in the Dana Mandi area when the attackers allegedly arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire at him, and fled.

Singh suffered serious bullet injuries and was rushed to Amandeep Hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries. The Police Department took the body into custody and initiated further proceedings.

A police team reached the spot after receiving information about the firing and started an investigation. CCTV footage from the area and other technical evidence are being examined to establish the sequence of events and identify the attackers.

After the attack, an organisation calling itself Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan claimed responsibility through a post. The Police Department has not confirmed the claim. Security agencies are also examining the claim.

The same organisation had earlier claimed responsibility for the September 11 attack on ASI Jaswant Singh in the Ajnala area of Amritsar. Jaswant Singh had survived the attack and reached the police station himself on his motorcycle.

The incident came after an earlier attack on police personnel in Amritsar. A few months earlier, ASI Jog Singh had been shot dead in the Majitha area.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed grief over Harjeet Singh’s death and said the Punjab Government will stand firmly with the martyr’s family. He announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 1 crore for the family. HDFC Bank will also provide a cheque of Rs 1 crore to the family.

Mann said, “Heartfelt salutations to Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjeet Singh, who attained martyrdom while performing his duty in Amritsar. His indomitable courage and complete dedication to duty will always be remembered.”

The Police Department continued to investigate the attack, with the motive behind the killing and the identities of those responsible yet to be established.