Wedding Bells and Gunfire The Brutal Execution of an AAP Sarpanch in Tarn Taran:

What was supposed to be a day of celebration turned into a scene of absolute terror on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Harpinder Singh, the young and influential Sarpanch of village Thathiya Mahanta and a prominent member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was shot dead in broad daylight while attending a wedding ceremony.

The incident took place at Sidhu Farm, a popular marriage palace located on the Tarn Taran-Bathinda National Highway, in front of hundreds of horrified guests.

The Hit: Calculated and Cold

The attack occurred in the afternoon while the festivities were in full swing.

The Assailants: Witnesses report that two young men entered the venue, appearing to be guests. They approached Harpinder Singh and opened fire at point-blank range.

The Casualties: Harpinder Singh sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead shortly after. His cousin, who was standing nearby, was also caught in the crossfire and is currently battling for his life in a local hospital.

The Escape: The shooters managed to flee the scene immediately, taking advantage of the ensuing stampede and chaos.

A Pattern of Violence?

This murder is eerily similar to the assassination of another AAP Sarpanch, Jarmal Singh, just weeks ago in January 2026. In that case, too, shooters posed as wedding guests to execute a targeted hit.

The Gangster Link: Early police leads suggest the involvement of organized crime syndicates. Harpinder Singh had reportedly been on the radar of certain local "modules" due to his political influence and recent stands against local drug peddlers.

Security Lapse: Questions are being raised about how armed individuals were able to enter a high-profile gathering on a major national highway despite the state being on "high alert" following recent gang activities.

The Political Fallout

The ruling AAP government is facing intense heat from the opposition (Congress and SAD), who claim that the "law and order situation has completely evaporated" in the border districts.

"If a public representative isn't safe at a wedding, where is the common man safe?" a local resident remarked outside the hospital.

Current Status of Investigation

CCTV Recovery: Police have cordoned off Sidhu Farm and are scanning high-definition CCTV footage to identify the unmasked shooters.

Special Teams: SSP Tarn Taran has formed five special teams to track the escape route, which is believed to lead toward the Ferozepur border.

Motive: While personal enmity is being considered, investigators are primarily looking at "target killing" instructions issued by handlers based abroad.