Ludhiana, September 21: Aam Aadmi Party leader Sukhwinder Singh Chhinda’s house in Lehra village, Ludhiana, came under attack late Saturday night when armed men opened fire and set his car ablaze. Police said the assailants, numbering around six, also threatened Chhinda’s family before fleeing into the darkness.
According to investigators, five to seven shots were fired at the main gate before the attackers entered the premises and torched the vehicle. The incident took place around 11 p.m.
The Dehlon police have registered a case against two suspects, identified as a villager named Manak and his accomplice. Assistant Commissioner of Police Harjinder Singh Gill said SHO Sukhjinder Singh and his team have launched a manhunt to arrest the accused.
Though the police are still probing the motive, Chhinda — also president of the Pohir Truck Union and known for speaking out against drug networks — alleged the assault was linked to his activism. “They attacked my house to teach me a lesson for opposing drug peddlers and their patrons after the AAP government came to power,” he said.
A close associate of Gill MLA Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Chhinda vowed to continue his campaign. “I will not stop my fight against the drug menace at any cost,” he remarked.
Police said investigations are underway to piece together the sequence of events and determine the attackers’ network.
