Italy-based NRI shot dead by 2 assailants

Malkeet Singh (42), an Italy-based NRI who originally hailed from Dhariwal village falling under Rajasansi police station limits, was gunned down by two armed persons here yesterday.

The victim was working in his fields along with his father when the incident took place. The exact motive behind the incident was yet to be confirmed though the police said that they had a quarrel a few days ago.

The police have booked Bikram Singh of the same village among two suspects for the murder. He was one of the accused arrested by the police in connection with the grenade blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Rajasansi in 2018. He came out of jail on bail two years later. Vikramjit Singh, SHO, Rajasansi police station, said that the accused were absconding and efforts were on to arrest them.

Balwinder Kaur, sister of the deceased, said that Malkeet returned from Italy around two months back on leave. He was sowing wheat along with his father at around 7 pm when the accused arrived and sprinkled bullets at him leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival. He reportedly suffered over six bullet injuries.

Balwinder Kaur demanded immediate arrest of the accused. She also sought action against those who facilitated his bail bond.

Surjit Singh, father of the deceased, said that Malkeet had an argument with Bikram Singh and he nursed a grudge against him.