Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala shot dead

Punjab Police say the incident could be the result of an inter-gang rivalry

CHANDIGARH: Famous Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead on Sunday by unidentified assailants in Punjab’s Mansa district, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover.

Moosewala’s cousin and a friend, who were travelling in a Mahindra Thar jeep with him, were also injured in the attack which is suspected to be a fallout of inter-gang rivalry, Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora told reporters.

Punjab’s Director General of Police VK Bhawra said at least three weapons were used and 30 rounds fired in the attack.

Moosewala, 27, had fought on the Congress ticket from Mansa Assembly seat in the recent Assembly election and was defeated by AAP’s Vijay Singla. Leaders of Congress and other political parties expressed shock and anger over the killing and blamed the AAP government for the incident.

Announcing the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the murder, the DGP said Moosewala had not taken with him the two Punjab police commandos who were still provided for his security. 

The SSP said when Moosewala and his associates reached Jawahar Ke village in Mansa, two vehicles intercepted them and they were hit by a hail of bullets from the occupants of these vehicles.

Moosewala was immediately taken to civil hospital where he was declared brought dead. The two others were stable,” said the SSP.

He said that police found bullet shells of a 9 mm weapon, adding that there was a possibility of the use of a 315 bore weapon.