Gurdaspur police killings: suspects named as probe cites alleged ISI-backed handlers

Punjab Police have identified Ranjit Singh, Inderjit Singh, and Dilawar Singh in the Gurdaspur killings of assistant sub-inspector Gurnam Singh and home guard Ashok Kumar at a checkpost near the International Border. Police say the attack may involve Pakistan-based handlers backed by ISI. One accused died in an encounter that has drawn questions.

Police in Gurdaspur said one of three arrested suspects blamed the other two for the killing of two police personnel. Police named Ranjit Singh, 19, Inderjit Singh, 21, and Dilawar Singh, 19, in the case. Investigators said the February 22 killings were suspected to be at the behest of Pakistan-based handlers, backed by ISI.

Assistant sub-inspector Gurnam Singh and home guard Ashok Kumar were found dead with gunshot wounds inside a checkpost. The checkpost was in Adhian village. Police said the site was about 2 km from the International Border with Pakistan. The deaths were reported on Sunday, according to officials.

Dilawar Singh statement on Gurdaspur police killings

Police said Dilawar spoke to reporters while being taken for a medical examination on Friday. Dilawar was being taken to the Civil Hospital in Gurdaspur, police said. Dilawar alleged that Ranjit and Inderjit fired at the two cops. Dilawar also claimed the two men took Dilawar along.

Police said Ranjit, a resident of Adhian village, died in an exchange of fire on Wednesday. Police said the firing happened after Ranjit fled from custody. Ranjit’s family and some political leaders questioned the encounter account. Some leaders called for a judicial probe into the matter.

Ranjit Singh family demand for CBI probe in Gurdaspur

Ranjit’s family refused to accept the body for cremation, according to relatives. Ranjit’s uncle Gurinder Singh demanded a CBI probe into the death. Ranjit’s mother Sukhwinder Kaur earlier said police picked up Ranjit on Tuesday for questioning. Sukhwinder Kaur later said Sukhwinder Kaur learnt Ranjit was shot dead.

The family also alleged police removed CCTV cameras from Ranjit’s village. On Friday in Gurdaspur, Dilawar demanded a fresh post-mortem by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. Political leaders kept visiting Ranjit’s residence in Adhian village. On Thursday, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira met the family.

Congress leaders on Gurdaspur police killings and accountability

Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa met the family in Gurdaspur on Friday. After the meeting, Bajwa said their version raised serious concerns. Bajwa said such claims could not be ignored in a democracy. Bajwa also linked accountability to the border belt under BSF jurisdiction.

"The 50-km belt around the International Border fence falls under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force BSF, which is a joint responsibility of the Centre and the Punjab government. Therefore, accountability cannot be deflected or diluted, Bajwa said.\"

Bajwa said the post-mortem should be done at PGI Chandigarh or AIIMS Delhi. Bajwa said the family had lost faith in the Punjab Police. Bajwa supported an independent and credible post-mortem. Bajwa also demanded the probe go to a sitting high court judge or the CBI.

\"When a family expresses such deep mistrust in the state machinery, it reflects the gravity of the situation. I fully support their demand for an independent and credible post-mortem, he added.\"

Randhawa letter to Amit Shah on Gurdaspur police killings

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Randhawa pointed to conflicting accounts about Ranjit’s death. Randhawa referred to police claims of an encounter killing. Randhawa also cited the mother’s public claim about earlier detention. Randhawa said such gaps created a credibility deficit.

\"I refer, in particular, to the sequence of events in which the Punjab Police have claimed that a 19-year-old youth allegedly connected with the crime was killed in an encounter, while his mother has publicly asserted that he had earlier been picked up from their home.I do not wish to prejudge the facts; however, the existence of such sharply conflicting public versions has created a credibility deficit that the state police, acting alone, will find difficult to overcome. In matters with potential national security dimensions, the appearance of procedural opacity can be as damaging as the reality, he wrote.\"

The case continued to draw attention as more leaders met the family in Adhian village. Police maintained the three youths were linked to the February 22 killings near the border. The family kept pressing for an outside probe and a new post-mortem. Investigators have not publicly addressed the CCTV removal claim in the accounts provided.

With inputs from PTI