Accused in Punjab Police ASI Murder Killed in Encounter; Pak-Based Terror Link Probed

Mangalore Today News Network

Chandigarh, Sep 20, 2026: One of the two accused in the murder of a Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was killed in a police encounter, while investigators are probing his alleged links with a Pakistan-based terrorist, police said.

The accused, identified as Deepak Singh of Mulchak in Amritsar, was allegedly involved in the shooting of ASI Harjit Singh and his aide in Bhagtanwala grain market on Friday.

Police said CCTV footage, technical inputs, tower-dump analysis, local intelligence and human sources helped identify and track the suspects.

According to police, a team intercepted two men travelling on a scooter at a checkpoint around 9.45 pm. The suspects allegedly opened fire, firing four rounds, following which police retaliated in self-defence. Deepak sustained bullet injuries and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The second accused escaped and efforts are underway to trace him.

Police recovered a .30-bore pistol, two magazines, eight live cartridges, a mobile phone and the Honda Activa allegedly used in the crime.

Investigators are also examining a possible Pakistan-based terror connection. According to preliminary information, a Pakistan-based terrorist allegedly offered money to the accused to carry out the attack.

ASI Harjit Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district, was on PCR duty when the two assailants allegedly shot him at point-blank range around midnight. A .30-bore empty cartridge case was recovered from the crime scene.