Two injured in Amritsar firing near Tara Wala Bridge; police cite old rivalry
Synopsis
Two young men from Kotli Sakka village were shot multiple times near Tara Wala Bridge in Amritsar on Thursday evening, with police tracing the motive to a violent altercation from two to three years ago. The incident is part of a pattern: a separate firing at a Ludhiana gurdwara was reported just a day earlier, raising questions about Punjab's law-and-order situation.
Key Takeaways
Sharanjit Singh and Akashdeep Singh , both aged between 25 and 30 , were shot near Tara Wala Bridge , Amritsar , on 29 October 2026 .
Around six assailants allegedly ambushed the victims while they were travelling by motorcycle to a religious site.
Sharanjit Singh suffered one bullet injury ; Akashdeep Singh was hit by two bullets .
Police recovered three empty cartridge cases and have identified two key suspects ; raids are underway.
ACP Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu ruled out a gang-war angle, citing a personal rivalry dating back two to three years .
A separate firing at Gurdwara Manji Sahib in Ludhiana on Wednesday targeted a preacher's room; no injuries were reported in that incident.
Two youths sustained serious gunshot injuries after unidentified assailants opened fire near Tara Wala Bridge in Amritsar on Thursday evening, 29 October 2026, according to officials. Police have ruled out a gang-war angle, attributing the attack to a long-standing personal rivalry between the two groups.
What Happened
The victims — Sharanjit Singh and Akashdeep Singh, both reportedly aged between 25 and 30 years and residents of Kotli Sakka village in Punjab's Ajnala area — were travelling on a motorcycle to visit a religious site when they were ambushed. According to investigators, around six youths were allegedly lying in wait near the bridge before launching the attack.
Sharanjit Singh was struck by one bullet, while Akashdeep Singh suffered two bullet injuries. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the firing. Police rushed to the spot on receiving information and transported both men to a nearby hospital for treatment.
What Evidence Was Recovered
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu said that officers recovered three empty cartridge cases from the site, indicating that approximately three rounds were discharged during the incident. The ACP categorically ruled out any connection to organised gang activity.
The Rivalry Background
Preliminary investigations suggest the two groups had previously been involved in a serious altercation — including a violent assault — roughly two to three years ago. Investigators believe Thursday's shooting was a continuation of that unresolved dispute. Police have identified two key suspects and are conducting raids at possible hideouts to trace the remaining accused. The investigation is ongoing.
A Pattern of Firings Across Punjab
This incident comes amid a series of shooting episodes across Punjab in recent days. In a separate incident reported from Ludhiana district on Wednesday, two masked men allegedly entered the premises of Gurdwara Manji Sahib in Rajowal Kalan village of the Raikot area at around 3 am and opened fire directly at the room of the preacher, Baba Baldev Singh. The preacher was not present in the room at the time, and no injuries were reported. Bullets reportedly struck the door and walls, with one piercing through the glass pane of the door. The two accused, who had covered their faces with cloth, fled after carrying out the attack. The Ludhiana incident itself occurred days after a similar firing was reported from the same district, pointing to a troubling pattern of targeted violence in the region.
Authorities in both Amritsar and Ludhiana are continuing their investigations, with police pressing ahead with raids to apprehend all those involved.
Point of View
Apparently in broad coordination — suggests premeditation, not a spontaneous dispute. That police have identified suspects quickly is reassuring, but the string of unresolved personal rivalries translating into armed attacks raises a harder question: whether community-level dispute resolution mechanisms have broken down. The Ludhiana gurdwara incident, targeting a place of worship, adds a particularly sensitive dimension that authorities will need to address transparently.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims in the Amritsar firing near Tara Wala Bridge?
The victims were Sharanjit Singh and Akashdeep Singh , reportedly aged between 25 and 30 years and residents of Kotli Sakka village in Punjab's Ajnala area. Both sustained serious bullet injuries and were hospitalised after the attack on 29 October 2026.
What was the motive behind the Amritsar shooting?
Police have attributed the attack to an old personal rivalry between the two groups. Preliminary investigations indicate the parties were involved in a serious violent altercation roughly two to three years ago, which investigators believe led to Thursday's shooting.
Has any gang involvement been confirmed in the Amritsar firing?
No. ACP Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu explicitly ruled out any gang-war angle, stating the incident was rooted in a personal dispute. Police have identified two key suspects and are conducting raids to locate the remaining accused.
What happened at Gurdwara Manji Sahib in Ludhiana?
Two masked men entered Gurdwara Manji Sahib in Rajowal Kalan village, Raikot area, at around 3 am on Wednesday and fired at the room of preacher Baba Baldev Singh. The preacher was not present and no injuries were reported; the attackers fled after bullets struck the door and walls of the room.
How many rounds were fired in the Amritsar attack?
Police recovered three empty cartridge cases from the scene near Tara Wala Bridge, indicating that approximately three rounds were discharged during the attack. The assailants fled immediately after the shooting.
