CHANDIGARH — A brazen daylight shooting targeting a senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has intensified concerns over political violence in Punjab, as the state prepares for critical local body elections later this year. Harpreet Singh, a close aide to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the party’s Zonal In-charge, was shot in the stomach on Tuesday near his residence in Bathinda district and remains hospitalized in critical condition after emergency surgery. The attack, which police have yet to solve, has reignited accusations between Punjab’s major political parties over law and order failures, even as investigators caution against premature conclusions about the motive.
What Happened
According to Punjab Police, the shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. near Singh’s home in Bathinda, a stronghold of the Akali Dal. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a lone assailant on a motorcycle open fire before fleeing the scene. Singh was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery to stabilize his condition. A senior medical official at the hospital told Herald Express that Singh sustained “multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen” but was “out of immediate danger” following the procedure. Police have not released details about the weapon used or recovered any forensic evidence from the crime scene.
Punjab Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Gill confirmed that investigators were reviewing CCTV footage from the area and had launched a manhunt for the assailant. “We are exploring all possible angles, including personal enmity and political rivalry,” Gill said, though he declined to comment on specific leads. No arrests have been made as of Wednesday evening.
The Akali Dal swiftly condemned the attack, with Sukhbir Singh Badal visiting Singh in the hospital and issuing a statement calling the shooting an “act of cowardice” and a “direct assault on democracy.” Badal demanded that the Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), take “immediate and decisive action” to apprehend the perpetrators. “This is not just an attack on an individual but on the democratic process itself,” Badal said. “The state government must ensure that such incidents do not recur, especially as we approach elections.”
Why It Matters
The shooting of a high-ranking Akali Dal leader carries significant implications for Punjab’s political landscape, particularly as the state gears up for local body elections in October 2026. The incident has already become a flashpoint in the ongoing war of words between the Akali Dal and the ruling AAP, with both parties trading accusations over who bears responsibility for the state’s security environment.
For the Akali Dal, which has been in opposition since its defeat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the attack presents an opportunity to rally its base and challenge the AAP government’s governance record. The party has long accused the AAP of failing to curb drug-related violence and organized crime, claims that the ruling party has consistently denied. In a press conference on Wednesday, Akali Dal spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema alleged that the “law and order situation in Punjab has deteriorated under AAP’s watch,” citing a rise in targeted killings and extortion cases in recent months.
The AAP government, however, has pushed back against these allegations. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a statement released late Tuesday, condemned the attack and assured that “no stone will be left unturned” in the investigation. Mann also accused the Akali Dal of “politicizing a criminal act” and attempting to “derail the state’s development agenda.” AAP leaders have pointed to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showing a decline in overall crime rates in Punjab since 2022, though critics argue that the figures do not account for underreported cases or the qualitative nature of violent crimes.
The incident also raises broader questions about the safety of political figures in Punjab, a state with a history of militancy and political violence. While targeted attacks on politicians are not unprecedented—former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh was assassinated in a 1995 bombing, and several other leaders have faced threats over the years—the shooting of a senior party functionary in broad daylight marks a worrying escalation. Security analysts warn that such incidents could deter political participation, particularly among grassroots workers, and undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Background and Context
Punjab’s political environment has been volatile since the 2022 Assembly elections, which saw the AAP secure a landslide victory, ending decades of dominance by the Akali Dal and the Indian National Congress. The Akali Dal, once a formidable force in Punjab politics, has struggled to regain its footing, facing internal divisions and a resurgent AAP that has capitalized on anti-incumbency sentiment and promises of corruption-free governance.
The state has also grappled with persistent challenges, including drug trafficking, farmer protests, and sporadic outbreaks of communal tension. While Punjab has not witnessed large-scale militant violence in recent years, localized incidents of targeted killings—often linked to personal rivalries or criminal syndicates—have persisted. In 2023, at least three political workers from different parties were killed in separate incidents, though none involved figures as senior as Harpreet Singh.
The Akali Dal’s relationship with the AAP has been particularly acrimonious. The two parties have clashed over issues ranging from farm laws to the alleged misuse of central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Akali Dal has accused the AAP of using these agencies to target its leaders, a charge the ruling party has dismissed as “baseless propaganda.” The shooting of Singh, a key organizational figure in the Akali Dal, is likely to further strain relations between the two parties, particularly as campaigning for the local body elections intensifies.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
As of now, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and investigators have not ruled out any possibilities. Police sources told Herald Express that while political rivalry is one line of inquiry, they are also exploring personal enmity and potential links to organized crime. Singh, who has served as the Akali Dal’s Zonal In-charge for Bathinda for over a decade, is known to have a wide network of contacts within the party and the local business community. Some analysts suggest that his role in overseeing party operations in a politically sensitive region may have made him a target.
Local media outlets, citing unnamed sources, have speculated about possible involvement of rival factions within the Akali Dal itself. The party has faced internal power struggles in recent years, particularly after its electoral defeat in 2022. However, no evidence has emerged to support these claims, and party leaders have dismissed them as “malicious rumors” aimed at destabilizing the organization.
Another theory, advanced by some security experts, is that the attack could be linked to Punjab’s ongoing struggle with drug trafficking. Bathinda, located near the border with Rajasthan and Haryana, has been identified as a transit point for narcotics smuggling. While there is no direct evidence connecting Singh to illegal activities, his position within the Akali Dal—historically perceived as having influence over law enforcement in the state—may have made him a target for criminal elements seeking to send a message.
The lack of clarity surrounding the motive has fueled speculation, with political commentators warning against jumping to conclusions. “It is premature to attribute this attack to any specific group or agenda,” said Dr. Ashutosh Kumar, a professor of political science at Panjab University. “Punjab has a complex web of political, criminal, and personal rivalries, and without concrete evidence, any attempt to assign blame would be irresponsible.”
What to Watch Next
The coming days will be critical in determining the direction of the investigation and its political fallout. Key developments to monitor include:
1. Police Investigation: Punjab Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case. The recovery of CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and potential leads from Singh’s personal and professional contacts will be crucial in identifying the assailant. If the investigation stalls or fails to produce results, it could further erode public confidence in the state’s law enforcement agencies.
2. Political Reactions: The Akali Dal is likely to intensify its criticism of the AAP government, particularly if the investigation does not yield quick results. The party may also seek to use the incident to mobilize its cadre ahead of the local body elections. Meanwhile, the AAP will face pressure to demonstrate that it is taking the matter seriously, potentially leading to a crackdown on criminal elements or a reshuffle in the state’s security apparatus.
3. Security Measures for Political Leaders: The attack may prompt all major parties to reassess the security arrangements for their leaders and workers. The Punjab government could announce additional measures, such as increased police patrols in sensitive areas or the deployment of central forces, though such steps may face logistical and financial constraints.
4. Impact on Local Body Elections: The timing of the attack—just months before the local body elections—raises questions about its potential impact on the electoral process. If the incident is perceived as part of a broader pattern of political violence, it could deter voter turnout or influence the outcome in key constituencies. The Akali Dal may seek to frame the attack as evidence of the AAP’s failure to govern, while the ruling party could counter by highlighting its development agenda.
5. National Attention: The shooting has already drawn attention from national political leaders, with several opposition figures condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation. If the incident escalates into a larger law-and-order crisis, it could attract the involvement of central agencies, particularly if there are allegations of state government inaction.
Conclusion
The shooting of Harpreet Singh is a stark reminder of the fragility of Punjab’s political stability and the persistent threat of violence in the state. While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, the incident has already become a flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between the Akali Dal and the AAP. As Punjab prepares for local body elections, the shooting underscores the urgent need for all parties to prioritize the safety of political workers and the integrity of the democratic process.
For now, the focus remains on the investigation, with Punjab Police facing mounting pressure to deliver results. The outcome of the probe will not only determine whether justice is served but also shape the narrative around law and order in the state. In the meantime, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political polarization and the erosion of public trust in institutions. As Punjab navigates this turbulent period, the response of its leaders—and the effectiveness of its law enforcement—will be closely watched by both its citizens and the nation at large.
Story synopsis gathered from: [NDTV — India News](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/close-aide-of-sukhbir-badal-shot-in-stomach-rushed-to-hospital-11766999#publisher=newsstand) — source.
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Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source.
