Seven Held in AAP Sarpanch Murder Case; Shooters Nabbed After Multi-State Operation

Amritsar | January 12, 2026 Punjab Police on Monday announced the arrest of two shooters and five other accused in connection with the murder of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch who was shot dead during a wedding ceremony in Amritsar earlier this month. The arrests mark a major breakthrough in the high-profile case that had sparked political outrage across the State. The two alleged shooters, identified as Sukhraj Singh alias Ganga from Tarn Taran district and Karamjit Singh from Gurdaspur, were apprehended from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday following a coordinated operation involving Punjab Police, local authorities, and Central agencies. They were produced before a local court and taken into custody after securing transit remand, officials said. According to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, five more accused — believed to be part of the logistical and support network — were arrested from different locations in Punjab. All seven are expected to be brought to Amritsar for further interrogation as investigators piece together the sequence of events leading to the killing. The victim, Jharmal Singh, sarpanch of Valthoa village in Tarn Taran, was shot at point-blank range at a wedding on January 4. CCTV footage reportedly captured the attackers entering the venue, opening fire, and fleeing. The incident has intensified political criticism of the AAP-led government, with opposition parties alleging a breakdown of law and order in the State. Wedding Murder Case Cracked: Punjab Police Arrest Two Shooters, Five Aides Punjab Police have arrested seven accused, including two shooters, in the murder of an AAP sarpanch who was gunned down during a wedding function in Amritsar earlier this month. The swift action follows an intensive investigation into the January 4 killing that shocked the region. The two main shooters, Sukhraj Singh alias Ganga of Tarn Taran and Karamjit Singh of Gurdaspur, were traced to Raipur in Chhattisgarh and arrested with the help of local police and Central agencies. After being produced in a local court, transit remand was secured to bring them back to Punjab for further questioning. Police also detained five other accused from different parts of Punjab who allegedly provided logistical support and assistance to the shooters before and after the crime. Officials said the arrests have helped uncover the wider network involved in planning and executing the attack. The victim, Jharmal Singh, sarpanch of Valthoa village, was shot at close range inside the wedding venue, as captured in CCTV footage. The incident has triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties accusing the State government of failing to maintain law and order.