In a major development in the murder case of prominent kabaddi player Rana Balachauriya, Punjab Police on Wednesday gunned down key accused Harpinder Singh, alias Middu, in an encounter in Mohali. Middu, described by police as the main handler and logistical mastermind behind the killing, succumbed to bullet injuries during treatment at a hospital. Meanwhile, another conspirator linked to the case has been arrested from Delhi.

According to Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans, Harpinder Singh was a resident of Tarn Taran district and was closely associated with the Ghanshyampuriya gang, which operates in coordination with the notorious Bambiha gang. The Bambiha gang had earlier claimed responsibility for the murder of Rana Balachauriya.

Encounter in Lalru Area

Police officials said that acting on specific intelligence, a Mohali Police team tracked Harpinder Singh to a vacant plot in the Lalru area along the Ambala–Chandigarh National Highway. When the police surrounded the area and asked him to surrender, the accused allegedly opened fire. Police retaliated, during which Harpinder Singh sustained gunshot injuries.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead during treatment. SSP Hans confirmed that two police personnel were also injured in the exchange of fire and are currently undergoing medical treatment.

The SSP stated that Harpinder Singh played a crucial role in coordinating the murder, arranging logistics, and facilitating the shooters involved in the killing of Rana Balachauriya.

Shooters Identified

Police have also released photographs and identities of the two shooters involved in the murder. SSP Hans revealed that the attackers have been identified as Aditya Kapoor and Karan Pathak, both residents of Amritsar. Investigators believe that the murder was carefully planned as part of a larger conspiracy to establish dominance in the kabaddi circuit.

Importantly, the police have categorically denied any link between this murder and the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. “This is not an act of revenge related to the Sidhu Moosewala case,” SSP Hans clarified, adding that the motive was rooted in rivalry and power struggles within the kabaddi world.

Bambiha Gang’s Claim Rejected

Following the murder, the Bambiha gang and its allied members—including individuals named Doni Bal, Shagun Preet, Randhawa, Amar Khwa, Prabh Dasuwal, and Kaushal Chaudhary—had claimed responsibility through social media posts. They alleged that Rana Balachauriya had helped arrange accommodation for Sidhu Moosewala’s killers.

However, Punjab Police have strongly refuted these claims. Officials emphasized that Rana Balachauriya had no criminal background and was never named in any criminal case. Police maintain that the allegations were fabricated to justify the murder and create fear.

Another Accused Arrested in Delhi

In another significant breakthrough, police arrested an accused named Ashdeep at Delhi’s international airport. Ashdeep had reportedly arrived from Moscow and was planning to flee to Muscat when he was apprehended. His arrest proved critical, as information provided by him helped police trace Harpinder Singh alias Middu, eventually leading to the encounter in Mohali.

Police have also identified Jugraj Singh, a resident of rural Amritsar, as the alleged mastermind behind the conspiracy. Jugraj is believed to be an active member of the Doni Bal gang and remains at large.

Five Accused in Total

So far, five individuals have been named as accused in the Rana Balachauriya murder case. This includes two shooters and three conspirators. One accused has been killed in a police encounter, one has been arrested at Delhi Airport, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.