Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore each for the families of the two police personnel found dead with bullet injuries at a checkpost in Gurdaspur district on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan-based outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan, has claimed responsibility for the killings. Senior police officials stated that the group has no known presence in Punjab or anywhere else in India. One officer said it was too early to draw conclusions and added that such claims could be a diversion.
ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar were posted at Adhian village, about 2 km from the international border. They were found dead inside the checkpost.
Police have seized the service weapons of both officials. Investigating officers are looking at all possible angles, including personal rivalry and possible cross-border links. Early rumours had suggested a dispute between the two or the involvement of a 'carrier', who may have been collecting heroin dropped by Pakistani drones.
Adhian is considered a sensitive and vulnerable village. It has been adopted by the Border Security Force (BSF) under its “Vibrant Village” initiative. Despite this, the area remains prone to cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons, especially after floods last year damaged parts of the border fencing.
The Ravi river flows close to the village and changes course before entering Pakistan. Smugglers are believed to use the river route. The nearby town of Dorangla has also witnessed militant activity in the past, including routes connected to the 2016 Pathankot attack. Police officials said the case is being probed from every possible angle.
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