A Government Railway Police (GRP) officer was shot at by three unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Amritsar, Punjab on 5 October 2026, triggering sharp political criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who questioned the Bhagwant Mann government's ability to maintain law and order in the state.

What Happened

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sukhchain Singh, posted with the GRP in Amritsar, was riding his motorcycle home after duty when three men on another motorcycle opened fire at him near a canal bridge close to his village, Jagdev Khurd, under the jurisdiction of Ajnala police station.

According to DSP Dharmendra Kalyan, the bullet struck Singh's left shoulder and passed through. He was admitted to hospital, and an FIR has been registered. 'The bullet struck his left shoulder and passed through. He has been admitted to the hospital, and an FIR has been registered,' DSP Kalyan said.

Investigation Under Way

Police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the accused. The motive behind the attack is yet to be established, officials said. Investigators are examining the sequence of events near the canal bridge where the shooting occurred.

BJP's Political Reaction

BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu strongly condemned the incident in a post on X, directly targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. 'How many more police personnel will be attacked? What is the Bhagwant Mann government doing? Not a day goes by without gunshots, killings or extortion in Punjab,' Bittu wrote, adding: 'Three ASIs have already been martyred. Now the police force is being targeted again. If the police themselves are unsafe, how can ordinary citizens feel secure?'

Bittu alleged that Punjab was witnessing repeated incidents of shootings, killings, extortion, and attacks on police personnel, calling the situation contrary to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's claims of delivering a safe environment. 'CM Bhagwant Mann, stop the publicity and Delhi politics. Punjab wants answers and decisive action,' he added.

Broader Context: Punjab's Law and Order Debate

This incident comes amid an ongoing political debate over crime and gang-related violence in Punjab. Critics, including opposition BJP leaders, have repeatedly flagged incidents of targeted shootings, extortion calls, and attacks on public officials as evidence of a deteriorating security climate. This is not the first such attack on police personnel in the state in recent months — Bittu himself noted that at least three ASIs have reportedly been killed previously. The AAP government, however, has maintained that it has taken decisive steps against organised crime and gangsterism.

What Happens Next

Investigators are expected to review CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts from the canal bridge area to trace the suspects. The attack is likely to intensify calls from opposition parties for a central review of Punjab's security situation, particularly the safety of serving police officers.