Five accused have been arrested on Thursday for killing a Punjab police constable, Jaspal Singh, in the Sultanpur Lodhi area of Kapurthala district in Punjab.
While Singh was killed, six others sustained injuries during a gunfire exchange between rival Nihang factions competing for control over Gurdwara Sri Akal Bunga Sahib in Sultanpur Lodhi.
The identities of the individuals involved in the incident are yet to be confirmed, according to the police.
Speaking to ANI, Director General of Police (ADGP) Arpit Shukla said, “Today (Thursday), an incident of unprovoked firing on a police party took place in Sultanpur Lodhi. A police personnel Jaspal Singh lost his life… CM Punjab has announced a compensation of Rs 2 crore. A job would also be given to his children. We have registered a case under section 302, and five people have been arrested.”
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Sultanpur Lodhi Police Station House Officer (SHO) Lakhwinder Singh said that constable Jaspal Singh succumbed to the “unprovoked” firing, while others suffered ‘kirpan’ (sword) injuries and are receiving treatment at Sultanpur Lodhi Civil Hospital, The Indian Express reported.
The escalating tensions between the two groups had prompted a heavy police presence at the gurdwara in recent days to prevent clashes.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Kapurthala, Vatsala Gupta, said that there was ongoing conflict over gurdwara possession, with police and civil administration striving to resolve the issue.
Sources in the police told IE that Baba Budha Dal 96 Karori Sant Balbir Singh, who had long held Gurdwara Sri Akal Bunga, faced aggression from a breakaway faction led by Sant Baba Man Singh on November 21. The assailants seized weapons, phones, and money and captured the gurdwara.
On Wednesday, 10 associates of Nihang Singh Man Singh attempted to seize ‘Peer Geb’ near Busowal Road, resulting in their arrest by the police.
AAP MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal visited the area, attributing the police constable’s death to gunfire from a Nihang group.