The killing of Sarpanch Harbinder Sandhu in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district has once again brought the state’s escalating gang violence into sharp focus, raising serious concerns about law and order ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Sandhu was shot dead while attending a wedding function, marking the third killing of a local political leader in recent months and intensifying criticism from opposition parties directed at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its handling of organised crime.
According to police sources, two unidentified assailants opened fire at Sidhu Farm, the venue where Sandhu had arrived for a wedding celebration. Investigators believe the attackers used high-powered firearms, including an AK-series assault rifle and a 9mm pistol, weapons that have increasingly featured in gang-related violence across the region. Sandhu succumbed to her injuries while being transported to a hospital, while another individual, Garman Singh, sustained a leg injury after attempting to pursue the attackers as they fled the scene.
Authorities are examining the murder within the broader context of intensifying gang rivalries in Punjab’s Majha belt. Earlier this year, the Sarpanch of Valtoha in Tarn Taran was killed, followed by the murder of local leader Lucky Oberoi. With Sandhu, the Sarpanch of Thathian Mahanta, now becoming the third political functionary to be targeted, opposition leaders have questioned whether even elected representatives remain safe under current security conditions, arguing that the situation reflects a wider breakdown in law enforcement effectiveness.
Shortly after the incident, the Landa Harike gang allegedly claimed responsibility through a viral social media post. The group claimed that Sandhu had testified in an extortion case against Sukhwinder Singh, also known as “Noni,” an associate of the gang, suggesting that her role as a witness made her a target. The post reportedly included threats directed toward law enforcement agencies, highlighting how criminal networks are increasingly using online platforms to project influence and instil fear.
Investigators have traced the origins of the dispute to a 2024 extortion complaint filed by a businessman against Noni, in which Sandhu was named as a co-complainant. Following Noni’s killing and the subsequent murder of another figure, Happy Chaudhary, tensions between rival groups — including the Satta Naushera, Landa Harike, and Gurdev Gehshal gangs — escalated further, contributing to a cycle of retaliatory violence across the region.
Police sources have also pointed to the emergence of the Dolly Bal gang as an additional destabilising factor in an already volatile security environment. While investigators are exploring possible personal enmity as one angle, multiple police teams are analysing CCTV footage, collecting forensic evidence, and pursuing leads to establish the exact motive behind the attack. In response to the incident, DSP Patti Jagbir Singh and SHO Sarhali Gurvinder Singh were suspended over alleged lapses in preventive policing.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav had earlier stated that since April 2022, law enforcement agencies have conducted 324 encounters with suspected gang members, resulting in 24 deaths and more than 500 arrests. However, these operations have drawn scrutiny, with the National Human Rights Commission seeking a report into allegations of extra-judicial killings even as encounter numbers continue to rise. Between November 2025 and January 2026 alone, police recorded 34 encounters, leading to five deaths and multiple injuries, with authorities maintaining that most involved retaliatory firing in self-defence.
Judicial observations have added further pressure on the state administration. The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently criticised the anti-gang initiative “Operation Prahar,” remarking that it appeared more focused on publicity than effective enforcement and questioning the efficiency of the intelligence network supporting such operations. The court emphasised the need for accountability and substantive policing measures rather than symbolic actions.
With Punjab set to head to the polls in about ten months, the growing pattern of gang violence, targeted killings, and controversial police encounters has emerged as a major political issue. The murder of Harbinder Sandhu has intensified debate over public safety and governance, placing the AAP government under increased scrutiny as it faces mounting demands to restore public confidence, strengthen intelligence mechanisms, and ensure security for both elected representatives and ordinary citizens.
