Retired soldier shoots son dead after he objects to second marriage, dies by suicide later

LUDHIANA: A 66-year-old retired Army Havildar allegedly shot dead his son after a heated argument over his relationship with a woman and later died by suicide in Punjab’s New Agar Nagar area, police said on Monday.Surinder Singh was in a relationship with a woman after the death of his wife and reportedly wanted to marry her. However, his son Gursharan Singh (38) strongly opposed the relationship.The two frequently quarrelled, with Gursharan objecting to his father’s affair, according to neighbours.On Sunday night, the father and son reportedly argued again over the same issue, which later escalated, police said.Surinder Singh allegedly took out his licensed 12-bore double-barrel gun, prompting Gursharan Singh to run out of the house to save himself. Surinder then chased him and opened fire, killing Gursharan on the spot.After the incident, Surinder returned home and allegedly consumed a poisonous substance. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital but died during treatment, police said. Police said the bodies of the father and son have been sent for post-mortem examination, and added that they have seized the weapon used in the crime. They said that further investigation is underway.Gursharan was unmarried. Police said his two sisters, who live in England and Canada, have been informed about the incident.Surinder had been working as a security guard at a bank in the area.(WIth agency inputs)