15-year-old boy murdered in Punjab’s Sangrur; 4 arrested

Police are on alert as tension builds in Sangrur following the murder of a 15-year-old Sikh boy on Monday. His cousin is battling for his life at a government hospital after both were allegedly attacked by accused belonging to another minority community.

Police said they have arrested four of the six accused, and raids are underway to nab the remaining two.

The victim has been identified as Arshdeep Singh alias Ankush, a Class 10 student. His cousin, Avneet Singh, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Following the incident, local leaders have threatened protests if all the accused are not arrested.

The victim’s father alleged that his son was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon and a hammer. “He was struck repeatedly by youths from a nearby colony,” he said.

According to the family, the incident began as a minor verbal dispute that turned violent when the accused attacked their child.

Arshdeep died on the spot, while his cousin suffered neck injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

DSP Sangrur Sukhdev Singh said four accused — Usman, Rihan, Shazida and Yusuf — have been arrested. “Raids are underway to arrest two more accused,” he said.