In a shocking incident that has raised fresh concerns over law-and-order situation in Punjab, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch named Jarnail Singh from Valtoha village in Tarn Taran district was shot dead while attending a wedding function at a resort in Amritsar on Sunday.
According to police, two unidentified assailants entered the venue at a marriage hall and opened fire, striking Singh in the head. Eyewitnesses described panic at the scene as guests scattered. Singh was rushed to a nearby hospital but he succumbed to his injuries. The assailants fled the spot immediately after the shooting.
As per reports, the shooters were wearing coats and pants, dressed as guests for the wedding. They shot Jarnail Singh from close range while he was eating, and then fled. Although the Sarpanch was given police security, no guard was with him at the time of the incident.
Police teams reached the spot soon after receiving information and cordoned off the marriage palace. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagjit Walia confirmed the incident, stating that teams are investigating and reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers. Police have registered a case against unknown assailants.
Amritsar, Punjab: An AAP sarpanch, Jarnail Singh of Valtoha, was shot dead during a wedding at an Amritsar resort by two outsiders
— IANS (@ians_india) January 4, 2026
DCP Jagjit Walia says, "This is Marigold Palace. We have just learned that a person named Jarnail Singh, a resident of Valtoha, was shot dead. The… pic.twitter.com/b1MybhhoBF
This marks the fourth attack on Jarnail Singh, who had survived three previous attempts on his life, including one in March 2025 when armed men fired at his vehicle near Valtoha, injuring him and his driver. Therefore, it is clear that some people were attempting to kill him for some time. The results of investigations into the previous attacks are not known.
Police sources indicate possible motives involving political rivalry, personal enmity, or links to extortion demands. No arrests have been made yet. Singh, a commission agent and construction contractor by profession, was a prominent local AAP leader.
