A kabaddi player was shot dead by bike-borne assailants during a tournament in Mohali. The victim was attacked when he was approached by the attackers on the pretext of taking a selfie. The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the shooting.
A kabaddi player was shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was participating in a tournament in Punjab’s Mohali on Monday. The attackers, who were on a motorcycle, approached the victim, Rana Balachauria, under the pretext of taking a selfie, before opening fire on him, police said.
The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming the victim gave shelter to the killers of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
Initially, Rana was critically injured and was rushed to Fortis Hospital in Mohali, where he succumbed to his injuries. The victim sustained four to five gunshot wounds to his face and upper part of his body.
Mohali SSP Harmandeep Hans said that two to three assailants approached the players on the pretext of clicking photographs and suddenly opened fire. “We are getting details and gathering information. At this stage, we cannot comment on the real angle behind the incident,” the SSP added.
According to sources, four to five bullets were fired from close range. Police are probing the case from multiple angles, including a possible gangster link.
In a post, the Bambiha gang claimed that Rana used to work with rival gangs of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Lawrence Bishnoi. It said that the attack was done by one Makhan Amritsar and Karan.
Investigators are also examining whether the incident has any connection to a well-known Punjabi singer, who was scheduled to arrive at the kabaddi venue shortly before the firing.
It also issues a warning to kabaddi players and their parents against playing for certain teams, threatening similar consequences. Police have not officially confirmed the authenticity of the post and are investigating the claims.
OPPOSITION SLAMS AAP OVER INCIDENT
The incident sparked a political showdown in Punjab, with opposition leaders lashing out at the ruling AAP over the law and order situation in the state.
Taking a swipe at the AAP government, Punjab BJP’s General Secretary Parminder Brar said the shooting exposed the gap between government claims and ground reality. Referring to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s pitch of building a ‘Rangla Punjab,’ (colourful Punjab), Brar questioned whether such incidents reflected a safe and secure environment for its youth.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa termed the shooting “unacceptable” and said it highlighted a serious failure of law and order. He urged the state government to act immediately.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the firing at a kabaddi tournament was a “chilling reminder” of what he described a governance collapse, and alleged that Punjabis were being forced to live in fear.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal held the AAP responsible for the murder. “The killing of kabaddi player and promoter Rana Balachauria during a Mohali tournament exposes a complete breakdown of law and order under the AAP government. Criminals have become so emboldened that they open fire at crowded public events.”
“Chief Minister Mann has failed to control rising murders and extortion, while police are allegedly being misused for political vendetta instead of ensuring public safety,” he added.
Meanwhile, police have intensified security and are scanning CCTV footage and social media over the shooting.(IT)
