Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Police Allege Pakistan-Based Handler Ordered Punjab ASI Murder
Police say a police officer named Harjit Singh was shot in Amritsar while on patrol.
The shooting happened around 10 p.m.
on September 17.
Investigators believe people connected to the attack may have been working for a handler based in Pakistan.
Police say the handler wanted criminals to prove their loyalty by killing a police officer.
The attackers allegedly recorded the killing and sent the video to the handler.
Police later found the main suspect at a checkpoint.
They say he fired first, and he died after police returned fire.
Another suspect escaped, while investigators examine phones and other evidence to understand what happened.
Punjab Police allege a Pakistan-based handler ordered the killing of ASI Harjit Singh as a loyalty test for criminals seeking entry into a narcotics network.
The attackers allegedly filmed the killing and sent the video to the handler as proof of allegiance.
Harjit Singh was shot during routine patrol in Amritsar around 10 p.m. on September 17.
Police say the prime accused opened fire at a Thanda Road checkpoint and was killed when officers returned fire.
Investigators identified three people, arrested Akashdeep Singh, and are searching for another suspect who escaped.
- Who
- Punjab Police ASI Harjit Singh was killed; police allege a Pakistan-based handler directed the operation, involving three identified suspects.
- What
- Harjit Singh was shot dead, allegedly as a loyalty test for criminals seeking entry into a cross-border narcotics network.
- When
- The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. on September 17; police reported an arrest on September 19.
- Where
- The killing occurred in Amritsar in an area under Hakima police station; the prime accused was later intercepted on Thanda Road.
- Why
- Police allege the murder was ordered to test recruits’ loyalty and establish their entry into a narcotics network; an earlier rivalry is also under investigation.
Police Allegations
Unresolved Investigation
Cross-border direction
Police Allegations
Police allege a Pakistan-based handler ordered the killing to test recruits’ loyalty and connect them to a narcotics network.
Unresolved Investigation
The alleged Pakistan-based link remains under investigation, with police planning to examine phones, video footage, coordinates, and other digital evidence.
Motive for the killing
Police Allegations
Police say the killing was part of a recruitment test involving a recorded act of violence.
Unresolved Investigation
Investigators have also learned of a previous rivalry, but its nature and role in the killing have not been established.
Checkpoint encounter
Police Allegations
Police say the prime accused fired four rounds first, prompting officers to fire six rounds in self-defence, after which the suspect died.
Unresolved Investigation
The account of the encounter is based on the police description; the article does not provide an independent account.
- Victim
- Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjit Singh
- Alleged organizer
- A Pakistan-based handler, according to Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill
- Alleged purpose
- A loyalty test for criminals seeking access to a cross-border narcotics network
- Evidence under examination
- A suspected video recording, mobile phones, location coordinates, and other digital evidence
- Prime accused
- Police say the suspect was killed after allegedly opening fire at a Thanda Road checkpoint
- Other suspects
- Police identified three people; Akashdeep Singh was arrested and another suspect escaped
- Investigation status
- Police teams are tracing the escaped suspect and seeking further evidence through questioning and forensic examination