Ex Kabaddi Player Shot Dead in Ludhiana; Assailants Announce Crime To Family, Say 'Go and Pick Up His Body'

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Punjab was rocked by another incident of violent crime on Monday after a former kabaddi player was shot dead in Ludhiana district, marking the third such killing in the state in as many days. The brazen nature of the crime has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, who have raised concerns over deteriorating law and order.

According to police, the incident took place at Manuke village when 36-year-old Gagandeep Singh, also known as Gagna, was present at Dana Mandi along with his friend Ekam. Assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire, killing Gagandeep on the spot. His body was later dumped in nearby agricultural fields.

Ludhiana Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Ankur Gupta said Gagandeep suffered at least three bullet injuries. He confirmed that one of the five accused named by the victim's family has been arrested, while efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects.

What has added to the shock is what followed the murder. Gagandeep's father, Gurdeep Singh Bagga, told The Indian Express that after killing his son, the attackers drove to their residence and openly announced the crime. "Some of our family members were standing outside in the street when the assailants came and announced and said 'tuhada banda maar ta, chak lo jaake' (we have killed your boy, go and pick up his body). This is nothing but lawlessness," he said.

The victim's wife, Navpreet Kaur, said the attackers were targeting Ekam and that her husband was shot when he tried to intervene. She added that the accused had attacked Ekam with swords on December 31 and returned on Monday with more men and firearms.

Ludhiana range DIG Satinder Singh described the incident as stemming from a "village-level rivalry" and clarified that no kabaddi-related dispute had surfaced so far. The prime accused has been identified as Gursewak Singh alias Motu. SSP Gupta also confirmed that both the victim and the main accused had prior criminal records.

Local leaders, including former sarpanch Resham Singh and AAP MLA Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, condemned the killing, calling it a grim reflection of rising violence in Punjab. Gagandeep is survived by his wife and three children.