Punjab cop killer shot dead in Amritsar encounter; Pakistan link probed
Synopsis
Two days after ASI Harjit Singh was shot dead on duty in Amritsar, one of his alleged killers has been neutralised in a late-night police encounter — and investigators say the murder was directed by Pakistan-based handlers who demanded a video of the killing as proof of loyalty. The second suspect remains at large.
Key Takeaways
One prime accused in the killing of ASI Harjit Singh was shot dead in a late-night encounter in Amritsar on 20 September 2026 .
ASI Harjit Singh was murdered while on duty on 18 September 2026 .
The second suspect fled under cover of darkness; a combing operation is underway.
A CIA officer was struck by a bullet during the encounter but survived thanks to a bulletproof jacket.
Officials allege Pakistan-based handlers directed the killing and demanded a video as proof of task completion.
Accused allegedly recorded a 30–40 second video at the crime scene, reportedly captured on CCTV; mobile phone forensics are ongoing.
One of the prime accused in the murder of Punjab Police ASI Harjit Singh was killed in a late-night encounter in Amritsar on 20 September 2026, as security forces closed in on suspects following a city-wide manhunt. The development comes just two days after ASI Singh was shot dead while on duty on 18 September, in what officials now allege was a Pakistan-directed conspiracy.
How the Encounter Unfolded
Punjab Police Commissioner Harmanveer Singh Gill said officers received specific intelligence that two suspects were moving through the area and may have been scouting another target. A police team spotted two men travelling on a scooter and signalled them to stop at the Tarn Taran/Thanda Road naka.
The suspects allegedly opened fire on police instead of complying. After a chase, they abandoned their scooter and fired again, discharging four rounds — two of which struck the police vehicle. A third bullet hit a CIA officer in the chest; he survived because he was wearing a bulletproof jacket.
Police returned fire in self-defence, discharging six rounds. One suspect was hit, rushed to hospital, and was declared dead on arrival. Based on preliminary identification, the deceased was estimated to be between 25 and 28 years old. The second suspect fled under cover of darkness; a combing operation to trace him is underway.
The Pakistan Angle
Commissioner Gill alleged that the killing of ASI Harjit Singh was orchestrated by Pakistan-based handlers who recruited young men with promises of money and a share in the illegal drug trade. According to officials, the handlers reportedly demanded that recruits prove their loyalty by targeting police personnel.
Investigators also found that after shooting ASI Singh, the accused allegedly returned to the crime scene and recorded a 30–40 second video, which was sent to overseas handlers as proof of execution. The act was reportedly captured on CCTV footage, while forensic analysis of mobile phones linked to the suspects is ongoing.
Security Measures and Investigation Status
Following the killing of ASI Singh on 18 September, a high alert was declared across Amritsar and adjoining areas, with intensive toll-checking at all major entry and exit points. Multiple police teams worked through the night to identify and locate those responsible.
The encounter marks a significant breakthrough but leaves the broader conspiracy investigation open. Authorities are probing the full network of handlers, financial channels, and drug linkages reportedly used to radicalise and recruit the accused.
Commissioner's Appeal to Parents
Commissioner Gill appealed to parents across Punjab to closely monitor their children's activities and warned about the growing threat of criminal recruitment through social media, drugs, and organised criminal networks. He urged families to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to local police.
With one suspect dead and another still at large, the case is expected to intensify scrutiny on cross-border terror-crime networks operating through Punjab.
Point of View
Not a spontaneous crime. Punjab Police has historically struggled to break these chains at the handler level rather than just neutralising the foot soldiers. With one suspect dead and another at large, the deeper test is whether investigators can trace the financial and communication networks back across the border — and whether intelligence-sharing mechanisms are robust enough to hold the handlers accountable.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was ASI Harjit Singh and how was he killed?
ASI Harjit Singh was a Punjab Police officer who was shot dead while performing his duty on 18 September 2026 in Amritsar. Officials allege he was targeted as part of a conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan-based handlers who recruited local youth to attack police personnel.
What happened in the Amritsar encounter on 20 September?
Police intercepted two suspects on a scooter at the Tarn Taran/Thanda Road naka. The suspects allegedly opened fire, striking a police vehicle and wounding a CIA officer in the chest; the officer survived due to a bulletproof jacket. Police returned fire and killed one suspect; the second escaped under darkness.
What is the Pakistan connection being investigated?
Punjab Police Commissioner Harmanveer Singh Gill alleged that Pakistan-based handlers recruited the accused with promises of money and drug-trade profits, demanding attacks on police as a loyalty test. Investigators say the accused recorded a video at the crime scene and sent it to overseas handlers as proof of the killing.
Is the second suspect still at large?
Yes. The second suspect managed to flee under cover of darkness after the encounter. Punjab Police have launched a combing operation across Amritsar and adjoining areas to trace and apprehend him.
How is Punjab Police responding to the threat?
A high alert was declared across Amritsar and surrounding areas after ASI Singh's killing, with intensive toll-checking at key points. Commissioner Gill also appealed to parents to monitor their children's activities and guard against recruitment through social media, drugs, and criminal networks.
