AAP Sarpanch Ashwani Kumar Shot Dead by Bike-Borne Attackers in Punjabਪੰਜਾਬ 'ਚ 'ਆਪ' ਸਰਪੰਚ ਅਸ਼ਵਨੀ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਦਾ ਗੋਲੀਆਂ ਮਾਰ ਕੇ ਕਤਲ

The killing

Ashwani Kumar, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch of Toot village in Tarn Taran district, was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne attackers on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Kumar was travelling towards the Dana Mandi in Toot in his Innova, accompanied by his driver, son and accountant, when the vehicle neared the village and men on a bike opened indiscriminate fire.

Kumar suffered bullet injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Patti, where doctors declared him dead. His assistant, Chamkaur Singh, sustained severe injuries and is undergoing treatment. The attackers fled the spot on their motorcycle.

Police investigation under way

Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the attackers. A police official said officers are working to identify the attackers and ascertain the motive behind the murder. No arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report, and the motive remains unknown.

Second sarpanch killing in three days

The murder is the second killing of a sarpanch in Punjab in three days. On Saturday, October 3, former sarpanch Navtej Singh of Manewal village was shot dead in Ludhiana after two men on a bike intercepted his Innova and fired at least ten rounds — an attack captured on dashcam footage. The same day, influencer Mad Sandhu was shot dead by two men on a bike in Amritsar.

Law and order questions ahead of polls

The killings have raised fresh questions about law and order in Punjab, where Assembly elections are expected within a few months. Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to protect even elected representatives, a charge the AAP government has rejected, pointing to its anti-gangster operations.

Who was Ashwani Kumar?

Ashwani Kumar was the Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch of Toot village in Punjab's Tarn Taran district — the elected head of the village panchayat.

What happened on October 6?

Kumar was travelling towards the Dana Mandi in Toot in his Innova with his driver, son and accountant when unidentified men on a bike opened indiscriminate fire near the village. He was declared dead at a private hospital in Patti; his assistant Chamkaur Singh was severely injured.

Have the attackers been caught?

Not yet. Police say they are working to identify the attackers and establish the motive, and a manhunt is under way.

Is this part of a wider trend?

The killing follows other recent attacks on village leaders in Punjab, including the October 3 murder of former sarpanch Navtej Singh of Manewal village in Ludhiana, raising fresh concerns about the safety of elected representatives in the state.