PHAGWARA: A violent clash between rival Nihang Sikh factions during a mediation meeting at Pipli Saheb Gurudwara in Village Hardaspur on the evening of June 17 has resulted in multiple injuries and the filing of cross complaints by both sides. The confrontation, which was intended to resolve an ongoing internal dispute, has now escalated into a criminal investigation under the oversight of the Phagwara police.
According to sources, the incident occurred during a reconciliation meeting aimed at settling differences between Nihang Ranjit Singh of Hardaspur and Nihang Jatinder Singh, the current Pradhan of the Gurudwara. Three factions of Nihang Sikhs were reportedly present when verbal disagreements spiraled into a physical altercation. Weapons, including firearms and traditional blades, were used during the clash, leading to several injuries and chaos at the religious site.
In the aftermath of the incident, Nihang Dharamveer Singh—associated with Gurudwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Charan Dhoor, Budha Dal Chavni near Ramanpreet Hospital, Garhshankar—filed a complaint at Police Station Satnampura. Based on his statement, police registered General Diary Entry No. 003 dated June 19. In his account, Dharamveer Singh alleged that he and his associates were assaulted by a group led by Ranjit Singh during the mediation attempt.
Those named in Dharamveer Singh’s complaint include Ranjit Singh, his sons Jaspreet Singh and Jagdeep Singh, his wife Rajwinder Kaur, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa of Jalandhar, and Harnek Singh alias Neka. Acting on the complaint, police arrested Dharamveer Singh the same day in connection with the broader investigation, clarifying that the arrest was procedural and part of the cross-verification process. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to two days of police custody for questioning.
Simultaneously, a counter-complaint was lodged by Nihang Ranjit Singh, who claimed that his group had been ambushed during the failed peace effort. Based on his statement, police registered FIR No. 87 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 109, 190, 25, and 191(3). Ranjit Singh alleged that members of a rival faction initiated the violence.
The accused named in his complaint include Baba Jaswinder Singh, Dera Head of Pipli Saheb Gurudwara; Preetpal Singh alias Mahakaal Nihang of Village Tallhan; Malkiat Singh of Garhshankar; Harjinder Singh Baddal of Satnampura; an individual identified only as Binddri from Hardaspur; and Baba Gurdev Singh of Village Bajwara, Hoshiarpur.
Among the injured was Jaspreet Singh, Ranjit Singh’s son, who sustained a gunshot wound to the waist. He was initially taken to Civil Hospital Phagwara and later referred to Johal Hospital in Jalandhar for further treatment. Three others—Ranjit Singh Jittu, Malkit Singh, and Dharamveer Singh—suffered minor injuries from bladed weapons and were treated and discharged from Civil Hospital Phagwara.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora (IPS) confirmed that both complaints are being investigated thoroughly. “We are committed to a fair and impartial inquiry. Eyewitness testimonies are being collected, and forensic evidence is under review. Action will be based strictly on verified facts, ” said SSP Toora.
Authorities have increased police patrolling in and around Village Hardaspur and the Gurudwara premises to prevent any further unrest. Local community leaders have been urged to support peace-building efforts and discourage the spread of misinformation.
The district administration has appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid speculation as the investigation continues. A police spokesperson stressed that the situation is under control and that sensationalism could jeopardize communal harmony.