An atmosphere of celebration turned into horror in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch Harbarinder Singh was shot dead during a wedding ceremony on Sunday afternoon. The brazen attack, carried out in broad daylight, has left villagers shaken and raised fresh concerns over the safety of grassroots political leaders in the state.
Harbarinder Singh, 40, was the sarpanch of Thathiyan Mahanta village. A commission agent by profession and a farmer by background, he was known locally for his active involvement in village affairs and AAP’s grassroots politics. He is survived by his wife and two sons, both under the age of 10.
The incident occurred around 3:15 pm at a wedding in Sheron village, located nearly six kilometers from Singh’s village. He had attended the ceremony of his relative, Gursewak Singh, when three assailants arrived at the venue on a motorcycle. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers were dressed in designer suits, blending into the gathering before suddenly pulling out firearms.
Without warning, the gunmen opened fire at close range. Harbarinder Singh was hit and collapsed on the spot. In the chaos that followed, his relative Jermandeep Singh attempted to respond but was injured during the firing. Witnesses claimed that one of the attackers carried an AK-47, escalating the intensity of the assault.
Guests screamed and ran for cover as gunshots rang through the wedding venue. The attackers fled the scene swiftly, leaving panic and devastation behind. Eyewitness Kulwant Singh told locals that the gunmen did not appear nervous or hurried. “They created fear and left openly,” he said, describing the chilling confidence of the assailants.
Police officials reached the venue nearly 20 minutes after the attack. By then, the damage had already been done. Harbarinder Singh was declared dead, while the injured relative was rushed for medical treatment.
This is the second such killing of an AAP sarpanch within two months. On January 5, Jarmal Singh, another AAP sarpanch from Valtoha Sandhua village in Tarn Taran, was shot dead during a wedding ceremony in Amritsar. The recurring pattern of attacks at social gatherings has triggered alarm among political workers and residents alike.
The situation is further compounded by the recent killing of Congress leader Umarsir Singh in Moga’s Bhinder Kalan village on January 3, adding to growing law and order concerns in Punjab.
Following the Tarn Taran incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reviewed the case and directed senior police officials to ensure swift action. Punjab Police later suspended DSP (Patti) Jagbir Singh and SHO (Sarhali) Gurvinder Singh for alleged negligence in failing to take preventive measures.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed the suspensions and stated that senior officers have been instructed to closely supervise the investigation. Authorities have launched a manhunt to track down the attackers, examining CCTV footage and gathering eyewitness accounts to identify those involved.
The killing has left local AAP workers anxious and grieving. Many fear that the repeated targeting of village-level leaders signals a disturbing trend. Residents of Tarn Taran say the audacity of the attack—executed in broad daylight at a family celebration—has deeply shaken their sense of security.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on identifying the motive and ensuring justice. For Harbarinder Singh’s family, however, the loss is irreversible. What began as a day of joy has ended in tragedy, leaving behind unanswered questions and a community searching for reassurance.