Masked gunmen open fire inside gurdwara near Rajoana Kalan before dawn; third firing incident in Jagraon belt in 24 hours
Rajoana Kalan (Ludhiana): Fear gripped the area on Wednesday morning after two masked men on a motorcycle entered a historic gurdwara in Rajoana Kalan village and fired at the residential room of its head sewadar. No one was hurt, but the attack has rattled local residents and raised fresh questions about policing in the district.
The incident took place at Gurdwara Patshahi Dasvin Manji Sahib in the early hours. According to reports, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and went straight for the room where head sewadar Baba Baldev Singh stays. The time of the attack has been put at around 3:10 to 3:18 am, with slight variations in accounts.
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Bullet pierced two doors
Sources said Baba Baldev Singh had just opened the main gate of the gurdwara and gone to bathe when the attackers struck. They fired directly at his room. The bullet tore through a glass door and a wooden door before lodging in the wall. The attackers then fled on the same motorcycle.
Head granthi Baba Kulwant Singh, who witnessed the incident, said the men spoke Punjabi in an unusual manner, a detail that may become relevant to the investigation.
Police at the spot, officers tight-lipped
Senior officers of Ludhiana (Rural) police reached the gurdwara soon after being informed. Those present included District Police Chief Dr. Ankur Gupta, SP (Investigation) Sanjeev Kumar, DSP Dakha Karan Singh Sandhu, CIA in-charge Inspector Amritpal Singh and Sudhar SHO Sub-Inspector Rajwarinderpal Singh.
Police teams are going through CCTV footage from the gurdwara and surrounding routes to trace the attackers. However, officers declined to comment so far and said details would be shared shortly. Baba Baldev Singh also did not speak to the media.
Third incident in about a day
The attack follows two other incidents in the Jagraon area. On Tuesday, an incident was reported at Gurdwara Gopalsar in Gagra village, and by evening there was a firing incident in Akkuwal village. The Rajoana Kalan attack is the third in quick succession, which has deepened anxiety among residents.
Rajoana Kalan is located close to Rajoana Khurd, the ancestral village of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is on death row in the assassination case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh.
Devotees and residents have expressed strong resentment that places of worship are now being targeted.
- PTC NEWS
