Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
In a shocking incident in Amritsar, Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Joga Singh was shot dead on Sunday morning while on his way to duty. Terror outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan has reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post that also warned government employees and officials to resign if they wanted to stay alive.
Following the claim, Punjab Police has launched an investigation from the angle of a possible targeted killing. ASI Joga Singh was shot twice, with bullets hitting his shoulder and waist area while he was travelling from Gurdaspur to Amritsar via Majitha.
According to family members, the ASI usually travelled by car for duty, but on Sunday his vehicle reportedly suffered a tyre puncture, forcing him to use a scooter instead. Investigators are treating this as a suspicious angle and are examining whether the attackers had prior knowledge of his travel plans.
Police sources said several aspects are under investigation, including the punctured car tyre and the sudden change in his mode of transport. ASI Joga Singh was a resident of Ghaniye village in Gurdaspur’s Bangar area.
As per police officials, Joga Singh left for duty around 6 am on his scooter (PB06BJ-6614) as usual. Nearly one kilometre before reaching Majitha, two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle intercepted him on the road and opened fire.
The ASI sustained two bullet injuries one on the left side of his chest and another on his waist leaving him critically injured. Police said the area where the attack took place is generally busy, but because it was early morning on a Sunday, immediate help was not available. Due to the delay in assistance, the ASI succumbed to his injuries at the spot. Doctors later declared him dead when he was taken to the hospital.
Police teams are scanning CCTV footage and gathering forensic evidence to identify and arrest the attackers.
