Gurdaspur, 24 June (H.S.): A triple murder linked to a land dispute has emerged from Punjab’s border district of Gurdaspur, where a man allegedly shot dead three people, including his aunt, cousin and a friend, before taking his own life. The incident took place late Tuesday night in village Mundi Karal under the Sekhwan police station area in Batala.

According to police officials, the accused, identified as Manjot Singh, had been involved in a long-standing dispute with his family over agricultural land. The dispute reportedly escalated late at night, after which he allegedly picked up a firearm kept inside the house and opened fire on his family members.

Police said that Manjot Singh first shot his aunt, Harjit Kaur, who was present inside the house. She died on the spot. He then allegedly shot his 12-year-old cousin, Hari Amritpal Singh. The bodies of both victims were found inside the house and courtyard.

Hearing the gunshots and cries for help, Manjot Singh’s friend Pargat Singh, who was serving in the Indian Army, reportedly reached the spot and tried to intervene. However, the accused allegedly chased him outside the house and shot him dead. His body was later recovered from bushes near the residence.

After killing the three victims, the accused allegedly entered the kitchen of his house and shot himself. Police recovered his body along with the weapon used in the incident.

Senior police officials, including Batala SP City Sukhinder Singh and officers from Sekhwan police station, reached the village soon after receiving information about the incident. Forensic teams also visited the crime scene and collected evidence.

All four bodies have been sent to the Civil Hospital Batala for post-mortem examination. Police officials said that the investigation is underway to determine all circumstances surrounding the incident.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH