Amritsar wedding horror: Gunmen storm venue, shoot AAP sarpanch dead; gangster Dasuwal claims responsibility

AMRITSAR: An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch was shot dead in full public view in Punjab's Amritsar on Sunday after assailants stormed a wedding venue, opening fire in front of horrified guests. Jarmal Singh, the sarpanch of Valtoha village in Tarn Taran district, was attending a ceremony at the Marigold Marriage Palace when the attack occurred. According to officials, two unidentified gunmen entered the resort between 2:30 pm and 3 pm, targeting Singh and shooting him at point-blank range in the head. Police sources said the gunmen struck just moments after the bride and groom had departed the venue. Despite the presence of numerous wedding guests, the attackers made no attempt to conceal their identities. "The assailants arrived with premeditated intent," a police spokesperson said. "Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers did not cover their faces, and we suspect the victim was under heavy surveillance prior to the incident," he added. Singh was rushed to a nearby hospital after a video surfaced showing him lying injured at the scene. He later succumbed to his wounds. Later, in a purported post, gangster Prabh Dasuwal along with Donny Bal and others claimed responsibility for the murder. Amritsar deputy commissioner of police (Investigation) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu said, "We are investigating the incident from all angles. The culprits would be nabbed soon." Additional deputy commissioner JS Walia said an investigation is underway. "We have cordoned off the resort and are questioning guests," Walia said. "CCTV footage is being analysed to track the escape route of the suspect," he added. This was not the first attempt on Singh's life. Police records reveal that the sarpanch had survived three previous murder attempts. No arrests have been made so far. Police are examining a photograph that has surfaced, allegedly showing the attackers. Reacting sharply and condemning the murder of the sarpanch, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal in a post on X wrote, "Strongly condemn the cold-blooded murder of sarpanch Jarmal Singh of Valtoha village (Tarn Taran), who was shot dead at a wedding function in Amritsar today. This follows an extremely worrisome pattern: yesterday, a young man was gunned down in Bhinder Kalan (Moga) and on Friday a woman was shot dead in Kapurthala. Targeted killings in public places have become routine, exposing the complete policing failure under chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio. The CM must be held accountable for this lawlessness."