Two Punjab Police personnel were found shot dead under mysterious circumstances inside a police post located close to the India Pakistan international border in Gurdaspur district, with a terrorist organisation later claiming responsibility for the killings through a viral social media post. Police, however, said the claim is yet to be verified and investigations are underway from all possible angles.
The deceased have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar. Their bodies were recovered from the Adiyan police post, situated nearly 1.5 kilometres from the international border, on Sunday morning after repeated calls to the post went unanswered.
The incident came to light when the Station House Officer of the concerned police station contacted Adiyan village sarpanch Kamaljit Singh around 8 am and asked him to check the post as no one was responding to official calls. The sarpanch reached the post shortly afterwards and found the ASI sitting motionless on a chair with a carbine placed in front of him.
Initially, it appeared that the officer was resting, but blood was seen coming out of his ear. During further checking, the Home Guard jawan was found lying on a cot under a quilt with a gunshot injury. Bullet shells were also recovered from inside the room. Due to winter conditions, villagers said no one heard gunshots during the night.
Police suspect the incident occurred around 1 am. Preliminary findings indicate that unidentified assailants may have entered the post and shot the ASI at close range while he was on duty. Investigators believe the Home Guard jawan may have been attacked moments later while resting inside the same room. Officials suspect multiple rounds of firing, though the exact number is being confirmed through forensic examination.
The police post where the incident took place functions more like a small outpost with limited deployment and basic infrastructure, lacking proper doors and secured entry points. Investigators believe the attackers may have conducted prior reconnaissance before carrying out the attack.
Soon after the incident surfaced, a social media post allegedly issued by Tehreek e Taliban Hindustan surfaced online claiming responsibility for the attack. The message described the incident as part of its campaign and threatened further attacks against Indian security personnel. Officials said the authenticity of the post is under verification and no confirmation has been made regarding the involvement of any terror group. Gurdaspur SSP Aditya said both personnel died of bullet injuries while on duty and that police teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information. He said forensic and technical teams are examining evidence and the entire area has been sealed.
Given the proximity of the police post to the international border, the Border Security Force also went on alert. BSF DIG A K Virk visited the site and reviewed the situation with local police officers.
Investigators have ruled out the possibility of mutual firing between the two personnel as the ASI’s service weapon was recovered with full ammunition.