Firing at AAP leader’s house sparks panic, political uproar

A firing incident at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Daljit Raju at Darvesh village near Phagwara late Thursday night has triggered widespread panic among local residents and set off a wave of sharp political reactions across Punjab. The attack, which occurred under mysterious circumstances, has intensified concerns over public safety and reignited debate over the law and order situation in the state.

According to residents, unidentified assailants opened fire at Raju’s house before fleeing from the spot, leaving the area tense and shocked. As news of the incident spread, leaders from across political parties quickly descended upon Phagwara, issuing strong statements and demanding accountability.

Congress leaders — including Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Sanjeev Bugga, Vinod Vermani, Karanjot Singh Jhikka, Taranjit Singh Walia, and Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary — strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “complete failure of the AAP government.” They alleged that the state administration had lost control over law and order, putting citizens at risk and emboldening criminal elements.

BJP leaders, including former Union Minister Som Prakash, Vijay Sampla, former MP Avinash Rai Khanna, National BJP leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal, and Shiv Sena state vice-president Inderjit Karwal, also blasted the AAP leadership. They alleged that incidents of firing and violent crime had risen sharply since the AAP came to power, claiming that the current situation had become “more dangerous than the terrorism days.”

They accused the government of weakening policing mechanisms and failing to curb gangster activities in the state. Countering these allegations, AAP leaders — including MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, state media in-charge Baltej Pannu, former minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Phagwara Mayor Ram Pal Uppal, halka in-charge Harnoor Singh Harji Mann and Jaspal Singh — maintained that the firing was an act of retaliation by drug and gangster networks disrupted by the government’s aggressive Yudh Nashian Virudh (War against drugs) campaign.

They said the crackdown on narcotics and organised crime had severely hit criminal operations, prompting attempts to threaten frontline coordinators like Raju. AAP leaders asserted that the party would not be intimidated and continue its anti-drug operations with full force in the state.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora, who remained in Phagwara until late Thursday night, said a thorough investigation had been launched. He confirmed that multiple police teams had been deployed to examine all angles of the case and assured that efforts to identify and arrest the accused were being intensified.

Phagwara SP Madhvi Sharma said every possible lead was being probed meticulously and expressed confidence that the attackers would soon be apprehended.

SSP Toora further emphasized that law and order would be maintained “at every cost” and no one would be allowed to disturb the peace of the region. As the investigation continues, the police presence has been increased in the area to restore confidence among residents.