Cop Killed, 2 Hurt As Nihang Sikhs Open Fire In Punjab's Kapurthala

A police constable lost his life after a group of Nihang Sikhs allegedly opened fire in Punjab's Kapurthala district. Two people also sustained injuries.

A police constable lost his life after a group of Nihang Sikhs allegedly opened fire in Punjab's Kapurthala district. Two people also sustained injuries.

Source : ANI

One police constable lost his life while two others were injured after a group of Nihang Sikhs allegedly opened fire at the team in Pubjab's Kapurthala district, officials said as reported by news agency PTI. The incident occurred when the police team when to arrest some Nihangs in connection with a case filed against them. The deceased police officers was identified as Jaspal Singh.

Kapurthala Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Tejbir Singh Hundal told PTI that the group of Nihangs opened fire when the policemen were standing on the road.

Senior officials were rushed to the site and heavy police deployment has been ensured to prevent flare-ups. Tear gas shell were fired to bring the situation under control.

The altercation started over the ownership of a gurdwara between two factions of the Nihang Sikhs before it took a violent turn..

According to the report by PTI, the clash started when members owing allegiance to a faction led by Baba Mann Singh tried to take over the gurdwara and allegedly thrashed the other faction led by Sant Balbir Singh of Baba Budha Dal. They allegedly tried to attack the followers of Baba Budha Dal in Bussowal village again on Wednesday.

An FIR has been registered in the matter and 10 people belonging to the Baba Mann Singh camp has been arrested.

Senior police officers, including Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police Vatsala Gupta, rushed to the site. Police personnel in large numbers have been deployed in the area and it has been barricaded.

Nihangs are Sikhs, mostly seen with armed with traditional weapons, wearing decorated turbans and blue robes.

In September last year, two Nihangs allegedly stabbed an inebriated man to death near the Golden Temple in Amritsar for chewing tobacco and being drunk in the area. The victim was identified as Harmanjeet and had an altercation with the accused before he was allegedly stabbed, the video of which went viral.