Gurdaspur, Feb 23: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore each for the families of two police personnel found dead at a border checkpost. The victims, Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurnam Singh and Punjab Home Guard Ashok Kumar, were discovered with gunshot wounds on Sunday near the India-Pakistan border in Gurdaspur district.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the state government would provide the initial compensation, while HDFC Bank is set to provide an additional insurance payout of Rs 1 crore to each family. Writing on social media, Mann maintained that the administration stands firmly with the families of those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
“Salute to the bravery and supreme sacrifice of martyrs ASI Gurnam Singh and PHG Ashok Kumar,” the Chief Minister stated. He asserted that their dedication serves as an inspiration for the entire force to perform their duties with honor.
The incident came to light after Kamaljeet Singh, the sarpanch of Adhian village, visited the post approximately 2 kilometers from the International Border. He had been alerted by the Dorangla SHO that the officers were not responding to departmental calls. Upon his arrival at 8:15 a.m., the sarpanch found the ASI seated in a chair and the Home Guard on a cot, both having succumbed to bullet injuries.
Police officials noted that the area is a known sensitive zone for the smuggling of narcotics and weapons via drones. While a social media post by an entity calling itself “Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan” claimed responsibility for the act, authorities maintained that the claim appeared to be fake. A forensic team visited the site on Monday to collect evidence as the investigation continues from all angles.
