Punjab Newsline | Batala
A long-running land dispute in Punjab's Batala turned into a horrific tragedy late Tuesday night when a man allegedly shot dead his aunt, his 12-year-old cousin, and an Army soldier friend before ending his own life.
The incident took place in Mundi Karal village under the Sekhwan police station limits in Batala, Gurdaspur district. According to preliminary police investigations, the accused, identified as Manjot Singh, had been involved in an ongoing property dispute with members of his family.
Police said the argument escalated late at night, after which Manjot allegedly lost control and picked up a firearm kept inside the house. He first shot his aunt, Harjit Kaur, in the chest, killing her on the spot. He then allegedly opened fire on his 12-year-old cousin, Hari Amritpal Singh, who also died from his injuries.
Hearing gunshots and screams, Manjot's friend Pargat Singh, a soldier serving in the Indian Army, rushed to the scene and reportedly tried to stop him. However, the accused allegedly chased him outside the house and shot him in the chest. His body was later found in bushes near the residence.
After carrying out the triple killing, Manjot allegedly went into the kitchen of his house and shot himself. Police recovered his body with a pistol still in his hand.
The bodies of the victims were found at different locations inside and outside the house, prompting a massive police response. Senior officers, including DSP City Sukhinder Singh and officials from Sekhwan police station, reached the spot and began an investigation.
A special forensic team has also been called in to collect evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events. Police are examining all possible angles behind the gruesome incident, though the land dispute is believed to be the primary motive.
