Gurdaspur, Jan 28: Tragedy struck the Gurdaspur border belt on Wednesday as Ranbir Singh Bedi, a prominent local chemist, was fatally wounded outside his place of business. The incident, which took place in the busy main market of Dera Baba Nanak, saw two attackers on a motorbike fire several rounds at the victim before escaping the area.
Police officials have linked the brazen morning assault to ongoing patterns of extortion targeting the business community. It is understood that Bedi had previously been contacted with demands for money. A voice note purportedly linked to an overseas-based module is currently under official scrutiny as part of the murder inquiry.
“We have registered a case and initiated a thorough investigation,” stated Batala SSP Mehtab Singh, adding that specialized units are currently “scanning CCTV footage to identify the culprits” involved in the daylight shooting.
This latest act of violence follows a series of similar incidents across the region since mid-December. Authorities have been actively working to neutralize the influence of foreign-based handlers who utilize digital communication to coordinate local activities. Recent operations have led to a crackdown on dozens of individuals associated with various syndicates to prevent further escalations.
The Punjab Police recently initiated a 72-hour statewide operation to target the financial and support structures of these organized groups. Government representatives mentioned that the focus remains on restoring a sense of security among local traders and residents in the wake of recent events. Forensic teams continue to analyze the four shells found at the site to establish a ballistics match with previous cases.
