Man shot dead in Amritsar, gang rivalry suspected

Jugraj Singh (28), a resident of Chanan Ke village under the Mehta police station limits in Amritsar district, was shot dead in broad daylight on Saturday. The killing is suspected to be linked to the ongoing rivalry between Bambiha and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gangs.

According to eyewitnesses, three unidentified men arrived in the village on a motorcycle and opened fire on Jugraj Singh at close range. He died on the spot due to multiple bullet injuries. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced.

Police officials have launched a probe, describing the murder as an outcome of personal enmity.

Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh said Jugraj Singh had no criminal background. His brother Jagrup Jupa was lodged in jail in a narcotics case. “We are investigating all angles based on CCTV footage and eyewitness statements. A search operation is underway to trace the attackers,” said the SSP.

The murder has once again brought to fore the rivalry between the Bambiha and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gangs. Shortly after the killing, an Instagram post by Gopi Ganshampuria Group allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Instagram message read: “Sat Sri Akal to all my brothers. I, Doni Bal, along with Mohabbat Randhawa and Kaushal Chaudhary, take responsibility for the murder of Jugraj Singh, alias Tota, from Chanan Ke village. He helped in conducting recce for the murder of our brother Gora Bariar on the instructions of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and also acted against our brothers under Jaggu’s directions. As for the ones barking from behind the scenes, they should also stay ready. Our eyes are on all of them. Wait and watch.”

It is worth mentioning here that on June 25, the same gang allegedly orchestrated the killings of Karanvir Singh, a close associate of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and his mother Harjit Kaur in Batala. That killing was also claimed to be revenge for the murder of their aide, Gora Bariar.