Tarn Taran, Punjab, February 19, 2026 — A village sarpanch of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party was killed in a targeted shooting during a wedding ceremony on February 18, 2026 in Thathian Mahantan village, sparking outrage and renewed concerns over law and order in Punjab’s border belt.
The victim, Harbarinder Singh, was attending a celebration at a banquet hall on the Tarn Taran–Bathinda highway when unidentified gunmen opened fire in the afternoon. Witnesses said the attackers approached Singh at close range and fired multiple rounds, striking him in the head and chest. He died instantly. In the chaos, a relative who tried to intervene was also shot and remains under treatment in Amritsar.
The incident prompted swift administrative action. Following a review by the Chief Minister, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav announced the suspension of two senior officers — Deputy Superintendent of Police (Patti) Jagbir Singh and Station House Officer (Sarhali) Gurvinder Singh — citing negligence and failure to ensure preventive policing.
This marks the second killing of a village head in Tarn Taran within two months, even as the state government continues its campaign against organized crime. Forensic teams have confirmed the use of high‑caliber weapons, and investigators are analyzing CCTV footage from the venue and nearby roads to trace the motorcycle‑borne suspects. Authorities are examining multiple angles, including personal enmity and local rivalries, while ruling out no possibilities at this stage.
Security has been tightened across the district to prevent escalation. Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party expressed grief over Singh’s death, calling it a blow to grassroots democracy, while opposition parties criticized the government for failing to safeguard elected representatives.
Officials have assured residents that those responsible will be brought to justice, emphasizing that violence will not be allowed to undermine the democratic mandate of rural institutions.
