The killing of two Punjab Police personnel at a border outpost in Gurdaspur has taken on serious cross-border implications, with investigators indicating that the attack was allegedly carried out at the direction of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Senior police officials have stated that early findings point to the involvement of Pakistan-based handlers who are believed to have coordinated and financed the assault.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Sandeep Goel said that the three accused executed the killings in exchange for a promised payment of Rs 20,000. According to him, the suspects were in contact with ISI-linked operatives based in Pakistan and acted on their instructions. Police confirmed that one of the accused had already received Rs 3,000 as an advance payment before the attack was carried out.
The incident occurred inside the Dorangla police outpost in Adhian village, located about two kilometres from the international border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district. The victims were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar. The killings came to light after repeated calls to the outpost went unanswered, prompting local authorities to check the premises. Both officers were found with bullet injuries, indicating a targeted and close-range attack within the secured facility.
Police identified three local youths — Ranjit Singh, Inderjit Singh and Dilawar Singh — as being involved in the crime. Two of the accused were initially apprehended, but during a subsequent attempt to recover the weapon used in the attack, one suspect managed to escape after a police vehicle overturned in dense fog. A red alert was issued immediately, and security forces intensified patrols in the sensitive border belt to prevent any possible cross-border escape.
The escaped accused was later intercepted during a police operation near Purana Shala on the Gurdaspur-Mukerian road. According to officials, he allegedly opened fire while attempting to flee on a motorcycle, prompting retaliatory action from the police. He sustained fatal injuries in the exchange and later died in hospital. One police constable was also injured during the encounter. Another accused remains absconding, and search operations are ongoing.
The Dorangla sector has historically been considered vulnerable due to instances of cross-border smuggling involving narcotics and arms, often facilitated through drone drops from across the border. Authorities are now examining whether the attack was part of a broader strategy to destabilise law enforcement in the region. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the killings and directly blamed Pakistan, stating that such actions were aimed at spreading fear among police personnel.
Investigators are also scrutinising social media posts circulated by a group calling itself Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan, which claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials have said the authenticity of these claims is still being verified. With one accused dead, one in custody and another still at large, security agencies are focusing on uncovering the full extent of the alleged cross-border network and preventing further threats in the border district.
