Rana Balachauria murder: Shooter Harpinder Middu killed in police encounter; mastermind arrested from Delhi airport

PTC Web Desk: In a major breakthrough in the murder case of noted kabaddi player and promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, popularly known as Rana Balachauria, the Punjab Police on Wednesday killed one of the key accused, Harpinder Singh alias Middu, following an encounter in Mohali’s Lalru area.

According to an official statement issued by the Punjab Police, a team of SAS Nagar (Mohali) police laid a trap and apprehended Harpinder Singh alias Middu, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran district, in connection with the high-profile murder. The accused was injured during an exchange of fire with the police. Later, he succumbed to his injuries. Two police personnel were also injured during the operation and are undergoing medical care.

In another significant development, the police have also arrested the alleged mastermind of the murder from Delhi Airport. The accused has been identified as Ashwinder Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district. Officials said his arrest is expected to help unravel the wider conspiracy behind the killing, including funding, logistics and coordination among the shooters.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Harpinder alias Midhu has a serious criminal background and is allegedly involved in multiple heinous crimes. Police officials said further investigation is underway to establish his exact role in the conspiracy and to identify other associates involved in the murder.

Earlier on Tuesday, photographs of two shooters, Aditya Kapoor and Karan Pathak, surfaced, with investigators stating that the duo executed the murder with meticulous planning. The police believe the crime involved a larger network, including individuals who conducted continuous reconnaissance and provided real-time information about Rana Balachauria’s movements during a kabaddi tournament.