Harbinder Sandhu Murder Puts Spotlight on Gang Rivalries in Tarn Taran

The fatal shooting of village sarpanch Harbinder Sandhu in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district has intensified concerns over escalating gang violence in the Majha region, raising questions about law and order in the state.

Sandhu, an elected village head associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, was attacked during a wedding function at a local venue in her native village. According to police officials, two armed assailants opened fire at close range, reportedly using sophisticated weapons. Sandhu sustained critical injuries and was declared dead while being taken to hospital. A bystander who attempted to pursue the attackers suffered a leg injury in the incident.

The killing has drawn widespread attention because it marks yet another targeted attack on a local political figure in the region in recent months. Opposition leaders have cited the incident as evidence of deteriorating public safety, arguing that repeated attacks on elected representatives reflect gaps in preventive policing and intelligence gathering.

Shortly after the shooting, a social media post purportedly linked to the Landa Harike gang claimed responsibility for the murder. The message alleged that Sandhu had been involved as a witness in an earlier extortion-related case against an associate of the gang. While police have not officially confirmed the authenticity of the claim, investigators are examining possible links between the murder and ongoing rivalries among criminal factions operating in the Majha belt.

Authorities say the background of the case may be connected to a 2024 extortion complaint that triggered a series of retaliatory incidents among local gangs. Subsequent killings of alleged gang members reportedly deepened hostilities between rival groups, including the Satta Naushera and Gurdev Gehshal factions. The emergence of additional outfits has further complicated the security landscape in the region.

Following the incident, senior officers visited the crime scene and launched a search operation to track down the attackers. The state police also announced departmental action against certain officers for alleged lapses in vigilance. Officials reiterated that measures to curb organised crime remain ongoing, including intensified surveillance and targeted operations against known gang networks. As the state navigates heightened political activity and public scrutiny, the latest killing underscores the persistent challenge posed by entrenched criminal networks and the urgent need for coordinated law-enforcement efforts to restore public confidence.