Tarn Taran, October 22: A man was shot dead in Naushehra Pannuan town, under the Patti assembly segment of Punjab's Tarn Taran district, on Wednesday night. The deceased has been identified as Kuldeep Singh, son of Gulzar Singh, who earned his living doing paint work.

According to reports, Kuldeep Singh was heading from his home towards the town's bus stand at night to get a haircut when motorcycle-borne attackers opened fire on him, killing him on the spot. Panic spread in the area after the shooting. Police reached the spot on receiving information, took the body into custody and began an investigation. In their preliminary probe, police are also examining a gang-rivalry angle behind the killing.

Father killed two days after son's arrest

The killing comes while Kuldeep Singh's son Manpreet Singh has been in police custody for about two days. According to reports, Sarhali police arrested Manpreet Singh for allegedly carrying out a recce (surveillance) in a murder case — said to be linked to the October 11 killing of ASI Iqbal Singh in the same town. Iqbal Singh was the uncle of Ajmeet Singh, described as the main conspirator in the 2022 RPG attack on Sarhali police station, who was himself shot dead on September 11. Police say Manpreet Singh's alleged recce role surfaced during the Iqbal Singh murder investigation; all of these allegations remain under investigation.

Landa Harike post claims responsibility — unverified

After the killing, a social-media post went viral in which gangster Landa Harike is claimed to have taken responsibility for the attack. The post claims Kuldeep Singh was targeted in revenge for the killing of ASI Iqbal Singh and levels allegations of informing against him. These are claims made in a social-media post — they have NOT been independently verified, and their truth will only emerge from the police investigation. Local reports note this is the third shooting death in the area in about two months, raising concern over law and order.