Sarpanch of Jind village shot dead

The sarpanch of Chabri village in Jind district was shot dead by a group of assailants who intercepted him near Pindara village when he was returning from Jind last night.

The victim Rohtas, 46, was returning to his village on a motorcycle around midnight when a group of assailants waylaid him. They engaged in a scuffle with him, snatched his licensed pistol and shot him in the head. They left the weapon at the scene before fleeing. The sarpanch died on the spot.

Rohtas was elected sarpanch in the elections held in 2023.

Sources said the sarpanch had called the police helpline 112 when he was intercepted and attacked by the assailants. However, before help could reach him, the accused had shot him and escaped.

The Jind police have registered an FIR based on the statement of the sarpanch’s son, and the investigation is underway. DSP Sanjay Kumar said a few suspects had been detained for questioning. However, he said the motive behind the murder was not known yet.