Chandigarh: An Akali leader was shot dead on the National Highway in Punjab’s Batala. He was coming to Amritsar in a car with his friend when assailants stopped his car and opened fire at him.
The Akali leader was rushed to Amritsar Private Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. At present, the police have taken the body into custody and started investigation.
The incident took place in Shekhopur village under Batala on pathankot-Amritsar highway. The deceased has been identified as Akali leader Ajit Pal Singh (50).
According to the police, he was returning from an event with his friend Amrit Pal Singh on Monday late night. They parked the car on the highway near village Shekhopur around 12 am to urinate.
In the meantime, a car came from behind and about three rounds were fired at Ajit Pal. Friend Amritpal immediately took Ajit Pal along to Amritsar, but he was declared dead at the hospital, police said.
Preliminary investigation by the police has revealed that it is a case of target killing. Akali leader Ajitpal’s car was already being chased by the killers. They opened fire as soon as the car stopped at an isolated place. Police officials said assailants came with the aim of targeting Ajit Pal.