Chandigarh: Pardeep Singh, a Dera follower named in the Bargari sacrilege case, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Kotkapura this morning.
A gunman and a former councillor were also injured in the incident. Following this, Canada-based Gangster Goldy Brad has claimed responsibility for the murder by posting a Facebook post.
A social media post in the name of Goldy Brar claimed that justice was not done in the sacrilege case, so it had to be done.
He regretted the injuries to the gunman but questioned the safety of the accused in the sacrilege case. Whether the post belongs to Goldy Brar or someone else is being investigated by the Cyber Cell of Punjab Police.
Meanwhile, Injured Punjab Police gunman Hakam Singh said the assailants came and opened fire. When the fire happened, I did not know how many people were there. I saw two attackers. He was just opening the shop when they opened fire.
Punjab Police IG Pradeep Kumar, who rushed to the spot, said one person was killed and three injured in the incident. Looking at the CCTV, we have got some leads, soon the attackers will be identified and caught.
He urged people to naintain peace and tranquility in Punjab, Police will catch whoever is behind it.
Rift between Dera followers and Sikh community
There has been a rift between the Sikh community and Dera Sacha Sauda in Punjab and Haryana since 2007. Many times both have come face to face. Pradeep, who was killed in Faridkot, was an accused in a case of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Bargari in 2015. Pradeep was also arrested by the SIT probing the case. One of Pradeep’s accomplices, Mohinder Pal Bittu, was killed in Nabha jail. Pradeep Kumar came out of jail on bail.
After this, the Punjab Police provided him security. In view of this, it is feared that the attackers may be associated with the Sikh community. Now, there is a possibility of increasing confrontation between the two societies again.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav both have requested people to maintain law and order in the state.