Within just seven days, Punjab witnessed the chilling murders of two kabaddi players, sending shockwaves through the sports community. Both killings took place in Ludhiana district—raising serious concerns about the growing nexus between gangsters and sports circles.

Five days apart, 26-year-old Tejpal Singh of Jagraon and 23-year-old Gurvinder Singh of Samrala were shot dead. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang later claimed responsibility for Gurvinder’s murder, intensifying fears that kabaddi players are being targeted deliberately.

October 31: Tejpal Singh Shot Dead Near SSP Office

The first killing took place on October 31, when Tejpal Singh of Gidderwindi village was attacked near a factory on Hari Singh Road. An old rivalry turned violent as seven to eight men arrived in two cars and began beating Tejpal. After nearly 20 minutes of assault, one attacker fired a bullet into Tejpal’s chest, killing him instantly—shockingly close to the Ludhiana SSP office.

Despite the proximity, police were unaware until Tejpal’s friends rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. An enraged village community refused to perform his last rites for four days, demanding immediate arrests. Following pressure, police detained Harpreet Singh alias Honey and Gagandeep Singh alias Gagana, while the third accused, Harjobanpreet Singh Kala, remains absconding.

November 4: Gurvinder Singh Gunned Down in Samrala

The second murder occurred just days later in Manki village, Samrala block. On November 4, four masked men on motorcycles opened fire on kabaddi player Gurvinder Singh and his friends Dharamveer and Lovepreet Singh. Gurvinder sustained fatal injuries and died on the way to Chandigarh PGI. Dharamveer remains critical.

Investigation revealed that Gurvinder had been preparing for a local event near a medical store when the attack unfolded. Soon after, Lawrence Bishnoi gang members, Hari Boxer and Arju Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the murder on social media—spreading panic across the region.

Fear and Insecurity Among Punjab’s Players

The back-to-back killings have left residents of Manki and surrounding villages terrified. Villagers described Gurvinder as a dedicated athlete who had represented his district in several kabaddi tournaments. Police have assured swift arrests and promised to tighten security around sports events, but the fear of gang rivalry continues to haunt the kabaddi fraternity in Punjab.