JAGRAON (Ludhiana): In a shocking incident, a young kabaddi player was shot dead in broad daylight near the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Jagraon on Thursday. The audacious crime, which took place in a high-security area, has sent shockwaves through the region and raised serious questions about law and order in Punjab.
According to police sources, the victim — identified as Tejpal Singh, a local kabaddi player in his mid-20s — was attacked by unidentified assailants who came in a car and opened fire at close range. The victim sustained multiple bullet injuries and died on the spot before any medical help could reach. He was beaten with sticks for 20 minutes before killing him, the reports said.
Eyewitnesses said panic gripped the area as several rounds were fired in quick succession. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting. The incident occurred barely a few hundred meters from the SSP’s office, an area usually bustling with police personnel and public movement.
Police teams rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. Forensic experts were called in to collect evidence, while CCTV footage from nearby buildings and traffic cameras is being scanned to identify the shooters and their vehicle.
Senior police officials, including the Jagraon SSP, visited the site and said preliminary investigation suggests personal rivalry or gang-related enmity could be the motive behind the killing. However, all angles are being probed.
“The assailants will be identified soon. We have vital clues and are verifying the victim’s background and recent activities, ” said a senior officer at the scene.
The body was sent to the Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination. The deceased was reportedly an active kabaddi player who had represented local teams in several tournaments and was well-known in the area.
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and the sports fraternity, who demanded swift action and better protection for athletes in Punjab.
A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act has been registered at the Jagraon City police station. Police said raids are being conducted to nab the suspects.